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The current system is outdated and no longer meets TfWM’s high standards for performance and reliability.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 18:00 on 11th February: 

• 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. 

• Clear any outstanding debt on your Swift Go account. 

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 11th February, you can travel as normal. 

• If your ticket expires on or before 12th February, 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. 

• If you top up your account by making a one-off payment online, you will not be able to add funds to your card until the update is complete. Please ensure you have enough balance for 11th and 12th February. 

• 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 11th February to continue traveling. 

• If you pay daily for Swift Go journeys, ensure you have enough credit to cover travel on 11th and 12th February. 

• Swift Workwise Customers: 

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

• If you need to renew your ticket before 12th February, do so before 18:00 on 11th February. 

The update is expected to take around 24 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 if you are a Swift Go or PAYG customer, the top-up may appear slightly delayed on your account. 

You can purchase new Swift cards during the update.

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.