Swift System Update

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) is upgrading the system that manages Swift smartcards. This essential update will improve system stability, reduce downtime, and make your future experience smoother. 

The current system is outdated and no longer meets TfWM’s high standards for performance and reliability. Upgrading will ensure a more seamless experience for all Swift users. 

To ensure uninterrupted travel, please take these steps before 10:00 on 15/07/2025: 

• Top up your PAYG card with enough credit for your trips over the next couple of days. 

• Check your season ticket to ensure it remains valid throughout the update period. 

• Collect products you have already purchased.

While the system is being updated, you will not be able to: 

• Purchase tickets through the website. 

• Use the app to collect new products on an existing Swift card. 

However, your ability to travel will depend on your Swift product: 

Swift Season Ticket Holders (valid for one week or more): 

• If your ticket is valid before and after 15th July, you can travel as normal. 

• If your ticket expires on or before 15th July, purchase your next ticket in advance to ensure continued travel. Tickets can be bought up to 21 days ahead and loaded onto your card with a future start date. 

• You will not be able to add new products to an existing Swift card during the update. 

Swift Direct Debit Customers: No action required; you can continue traveling as normal. 

Swift PAYG Customers: 

• Travel as normal, but there may be a slight delay in journey charges. 

• If you have a payment card stored on your PAYG account to pay for your journeys, no further action is required.  

Swift Go Customers: 

• If you store a payment card on your Swift Go account and pay weekly, no action is required. 

• If you have any outstanding debt, clear it before 15th July to continue traveling. 

• If you pay daily for Swift Go journeys, ensure you have enough credit to cover travel on 15th July. 

Swift Workwise Customers: 

• Travel as normal, but there may be a slight delay in adding new products. 

English National Concessionary Travel Scheme Customers (Disabled and Older Persons passes):

• Travel as normal, but you will not be able to top up your card to pay for travel before 09:30 until after the update.

The update is expected to take around 4 hours. 

We will update the TfWM website once the system is back online. Please check regularly for updates. 

Yes, you can still purchase a new Swift card with a ticket from: 

• Ticket Vending Machines (find your nearest location on our website) 

• Select Payzone outlets (find your nearest location on our website) 

• Bus and Tram services (paper tickets available only) 

• Train stations (paper tickets available only) 

Yes, but there may be a slight delay in the top-up appearing on your account if you are adding a product or credit to your existing Swift card.

Once the system update is complete: 

• You can resume purchasing credit and tickets as usual. 

• Swift Go and PAYG customers may experience a slight delay in account charges as the system catches up. 

No further action is required—you can continue using Swift as normal.

If National Express issued your Swift card, please contact them directly at nxbus.co.uk. However, these FAQs still apply to you. 

If you're unsure who issued your card: 

• Check the back of your Swift card for issuer details. 

• National Express Swift cards start with the number 633597 0112 on the front.