The West Midlands will pioneer new transport schemes to make journeys ‘quicker, cheaper and cleaner’ following a £20m funding announcement.

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), will work with companies to trial new modes of transport, services and technologies.

These include mobility as a service, car sharing, electric bikes and using data to bust congestion on our roads.

The region has been chosen as the UK’s first Future Mobility Area and has been awarded £20m to invest in new technology.

‘I am delighted that today the Government is announcing that the West Midlands will be the first ‘Future Mobility Area’ in the UK,’ said West Midlands mayor Andy Street.

‘This is a sector where we lead the world. Autonomous vehicles are being tested in Birmingham, electric taxis manufactured in Coventry, and Range Rovers are sold around the globe.

‘The Future Mobility Area will make sure the residents of the West Midlands can travel around the region as quickly, easily and cheaply as possible.’

The Government will create three Future Mobility Areas of which the West Midlands is the first to be announced.

Secretary of state for transport Chris Grayling said: ‘Thanks to the fantastic work of mayor Andy Street, Birmingham is set to continue its upward trajectory as a cutting edge city that innovates and leads the world.

‘We will create an environment where new technologies and services can be deployed, giving passengers more choice than ever before.

‘Whether you’re travelling to work or training or education, all will benefit from the innovation to come.’