Bristol Temple Meads station to become testbed for passenger tech

Network Rail and Connected Places Catapult have launched a multi-million pound programme that will turn Bristol Temple Meads into the UK’s first ‘Station Innovation Zone’, trialling new technologies designed to upgrade passenger experience.

The programme is selecting start-ups aiming to test new ways to improve various aspects of the passenger experience from making journeys smoother with smarter ticketing, making stations more accessible with wayfinding apps, using AI to improve people flow or designing better facilities using human-centred design principles. Passengers are likely to see the first trials beginning early next year.

The Catapult is directing millions of pounds of Innovate UK funding into the programme, which sees Bristol Temple Meads named as the UK’s first Station Innovation Zone. The five-year programme will pioneer the approach and plans are in place to roll out the model to other stations as it succeeds.

Francis McGarry, Network Rail Wales & Western region Investment Director said, “We’re delighted to be partnering with Connected Places Catapult on this new programme which will provide SMEs with crucial funding opportunities and Network Rail with new, innovative ideas on how to further enhance the experience of our passengers.”

“We are committed to developing Bristol Temple Meads into a world class transport hub for the benefit of our passengers, the city of Bristol and wider West of England region, so it is fitting Bristol Temple Meads has been chosen as the UK’s first Station Innovation Zone.”

Nicola Yates, CEO of Connected Places Catapult added, “Innovation is tough in any industry and rail is especially hard because of the number of assessments and permissions required. The net effect is that it takes too much time and costs too much for most small businesses to engage. Partnering with Network Rail to create a multi-year Station Innovation Zone in Bristol’s vibrant Temple Quarter will enable us to support numerous small companies in navigating these challenges and benefit passengers’ experience of the station.”

Applications have opened for start-ups with ideas that could be trialled in the Station Innovation Zone. Click here for more information