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A first-of-its-kind mobile app has been launched across Nottingham and Derby – bringing together a host of integrated transport information and ticketing options in one handy place.

Ride makes it simple and easy to get around and between both cities. One app bringing together buses, trams, trains, walking, cycling and shared transport services, including car club, rental e-scooters and e-bikes.

It can be downloaded now from the Play Store for Android devices and App Store for iOS.

The £4m project was developed through a partnership between Nottingham and Derby city councils and funded by the Government’s Future Transport Zones (FTZ) programme. This provides grants specifically for trialling new and innovative transport technologies and mobility services.

Users can:

• Plan a journey, book and pay for all local transport options – people can use Ride to buy tickets for every operator in one convenient place without the need for multiple apps and accounts on their phone
• Track a bus in real-time – see buses from all operators live on an interactive map
• Personalise choices around walking distances, preferred modes of transport and regularly-used operators
• See the range of car club vehicles, locations and make bookings in advance
• See the location and battery levels of e-bikes and e-scooters before hiring (Nottingham only)

Ride can also map out journeys door-to-door across different providers making opting for sustainable travel options even easier, accessible and convenient – further supporting efforts in both cities to cut carbon emissions.

The app will evolve with new features, accessibility enhancements and more transport operators over time. Along with other public transport responsibilities, operation of Ride will transfer to the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) from early 2026.

FTZs are government-funded projects in the UK aimed at testing and trialling exciting new transport technologies, modes and services, with the goal of creating more efficient, sustainable, active and carbon-friendly transport systems. 

Councillor Linda Woodings, Executive Member for Regional Development, Growth and Transport at Nottingham City Council, said:

We’re really excited about Ride and it shows the strength of partnership that exists between the two councils and all the local transport operators that we have been able to make this happen.

Ride is one of the first of its kind in the country. Being able to track buses in real time is transformative in terms of knowing that your bus is on its way and where it is on its journey.

I’d encourage everyone to download Ride from their app store and spend some time over the coming weeks trying it out using the different forms of transport that are available around the two cities. We’re confident that passengers will really value having everything they need in one handy place.

The whole purpose of the Future Transport Zones funding from Government is for areas to develop, test and introduce a range of exciting and innovative projects designed to encourage more use of sustainable transport.

Councillor Carmel Swan, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainability at Derby City Council, said:

Over the past few years we have dedicated a lot of time and resource to making it as easy as possible for residents and visitors to travel around the city.

Ride brings all of this work together, making navigating around Derby and Nottingham as seamless as possible, as well as supporting users to make sustainable transport choices.

We’re very excited to officially launch Ride and hear what users think of the app over the coming months.

Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, said:

Ride supports the growth of our region by making it easier and more efficient to travel around. The use of cutting-edge technology to integrate different forms of transport is another example of the East Midlands leading the way.

I hope that Ride proves popular with passengers as I’m keen to see how this scheme could be expanded further across the region.

More information is available at the new Ride website, here.