What is Lab by Transport for Wales?
We deliver innovation across Transport for Wales Rail. Our 12-week accelerator programme has accelerated 13 start-ups into the rail industry. We help creative, ambitious start-ups pivot their existing solutions and ideas to improve customer experience and business efficiency across Transport for Wales Rail.
We collaborate with start-ups to tackle problem statements and challenge areas across TfWR. Our programme helps start-ups develop a fit for purpose MVP and get pitch ready in just 12 weeks.
Successful pitches will allow start-ups an opportunity to be awarded a contract of work with TfWR, allowing them to develop and launch their solution to market.
Our next cohort will be running remotely due to lockdown restrictions. However, our lab is based in Newport’s Platform building. This is a dedicated working space for all start-ups and partners of TfWL to use. Prior to lockdown, it is where all of our workshops, training and coaching took place. We can’t wait to be back!
Our Goals
Lab by Transport for Wales has been created, in partnership with Transport for Wales Rail, with following objectives;
Position Newport as a leading hub of innovation, product design and technology
Why has it been set up?
Transport for Wales Rail (TfWR) has set out to make rail an attractive industry for tech start-ups. Lab by Transport For Wales will offer a range of opportunities & benefits, along with making entry to the rail industry easier for start-ups.
Our innovation lab will change culture by transforming Newport into a hub of innovation, powering these initiatives and showcasing the tech community within Wales.
TfWR wants to provide the best experience for passengers. TfWR understand how critical it is for large corporates to innovate and adapt. To be reactive and proactive towards changes in consumer behaviour, and to over-deliver to provide exceptional customer experience.
TfWL aims to fill the gaps and to cultivate a culture of innovation across TfWR by seeking out the most creative & ambitious start-ups to showcase their work.
If you have an innovative solution, or idea, we’d love to hear it and see if you can help Transport for Wales Rail.
Cohort 3 problem statements
Click the problem areas to find out more about how this affects TfW
People Safety
Customer Support
Infrastructure
Sustainability
Game Changer
People Safety
How can we ensure we keep our colleagues and customers safe? This includes the new normal and how we adapt but also all the safety principles that the industry holds itself to.
Ensuring hygiene provision is industry leading.
Enhancing staff safety while performing their duties by embracing new technology.
Reducing Risk at Level Crossings.
Improve safety of stations and trains to avoid and reduce slips, trips and falls.
Health and wellbeing of colleagues post COVID.
People Safety
How can we ensure we keep our colleagues and customers safe? This includes the new normal and how we adapt but also all the safety principles that the industry holds itself to.
Ensuring hygiene provision is industry leading.
Enhancing staff safety while performing their duties by embracing new technology.
Reducing Risk at Level Crossings.
Improve safety of stations and trains to avoid and reduce slips, trips and falls.
Health and wellbeing of colleagues post COVID.
Customer Support
How can we encourage people to choose public transport? This encompasses digital technologies, as well as physical and making rail accessible for all.
Reward and recognise customers for loyalty.
Offer the best value for money.
Improving the accessibility of our network.
Ensuring the provision of information meets needs and expectations.
Ensure the network is ready to welcome back people (existing users and new) following the pandemic.
Customer Support
How can we encourage people to choose public transport? This encompasses digital technologies, as well as physical and making rail accessible for all.
Reward and recognise customers for loyalty.
Offer the best value for money.
Improving the accessibility of our network.
Ensuring the provision of information meets needs and expectations.
Ensure the network is ready to welcome back people (existing users and new) following the pandemic.
Infrastructure
How do we ensure we are getting the best out of our infrastructure? This includes when we are making changes and those assets we already have.
How do we maximise efficiencies and the use of digital technology on Construction sites?
Introduction of Remote Condition Monitoring to effectively monitor the condition of infrastructure.
Provide cost effective toilet facilities at stations.
Infrastructure
How do we ensure we are getting the best out of our infrastructure? This includes when we are making changes and those assets we already have.
How do we maximise efficiencies and the use of digital technology on Construction sites?
Introduction of Remote Condition Monitoring to effectively monitor the condition of infrastructure.
Provide cost effective toilet facilities at stations.
Sustainability
How can we make rail more sustainable? Ways to achieve carbon neutral, promoting active travel and making public transport more environmentally friendly.
Zero Carbon Station Design.
Support EV charging for cars and buses.
Make environments greener to help achieve zero carbon.
Reduce energy usage at stations.
Battery testing & modelling.
Sustainability
How can we make rail more sustainable? Ways to achieve carbon neutral, promoting active travel and making public transport more environmentally friendly.
Zero Carbon Station Design.
Support EV charging for cars and buses.
Make environments greener to help achieve zero carbon.
Reduce energy usage at stations.
Battery testing & modelling.
Game Changer
This is an opportunity to submit an idea you think can change public transport for the better which might not fall into another category. We are always on the look out for new and innovative ways of doing things.
Game Changer
This is an opportunity to submit an idea you think can change public transport for the better which might not fall into another category. We are always on the look out for new and innovative ways of doing things.
Barry Lloyd
Barry is the Head of Customer Experience and Innovation at Transport for Wales. Barry has a wealth of experience in understanding and improving customer experience having worked in customer facing roles he whole career. He has a passion for ensuring customer needs are heard, met and exceeded and sees the Innovation Lab as the next step for improving Customer Experience with technological enhancements.
Barry Lloyd
Barry is the Head of Customer Experience and Innovation at Transport for Wales. Barry has a wealth of experience in understanding and improving customer experience having worked in customer facing roles he whole career. He has a passion for ensuring customer needs are heard, met and exceeded and sees the Innovation Lab as the next step for improving Customer Experience with technological enhancements.
Michael Davies
Michael Davies is the Insight and Innovation Manager in the Customer Experience team at Transport for Wales Rail. Utilising the latest digital techniques, his role includes the delivery of a comprehensive insight programme, sharing both market and customer insight with the wider business to inform strategic decisions. He will also be overseeing the set-up and successful progression of the TFW Lab. Michael has over 10 years’ experience in using insight to then lead new projects designed to enhance customer experience.
Michael Davies
Michael Davies is the Insight and Innovation Manager in the Customer Experience team at Transport for Wales Rail. Utilising the latest digital techniques, his role includes the delivery of a comprehensive insight programme, sharing both market and customer insight with the wider business to inform strategic decisions. He will also be overseeing the set-up and successful progression of the TFW Lab. Michael has over 10 years’ experience in using insight to then lead new projects designed to enhance customer experience.
Imran Anwar
Imran is the founder and CEO of Alt Labs, the provider powering TfWL. Imran brings over a decade of innovation experience across the transport and rail sector. He has implemented innovation strategies, software & change management across SME’s to FTSE 1000 institutions, varying across CRM, ERP, MBaaS, SaaS, PaaS, Cloud, Big Data and web development.
Imran Anwar
Imran is the founder and CEO of Alt Labs, the provider powering TfWL. Imran brings over a decade of innovation experience across the transport and rail sector. He has implemented innovation strategies, software & change management across SME’s to FTSE 1000 institutions, varying across CRM, ERP, MBaaS, SaaS, PaaS, Cloud, Big Data and web development.
Paul Suggitt
Paul is the CTO at Alt Labs and brings more than 20 years of award-winning tech industry experience to his role with a deep sector knowledge of growing ecommerce using digital innovations.
Paul Suggitt
Paul is the CTO at Alt Labs and brings more than 20 years of award-winning tech industry experience to his role with a deep sector knowledge of growing ecommerce using digital innovations.
Adam Foster
Adam is the Head of Marketing & PR at Alt Labs. His expertise has been developed across varying business sizes ranging from start-ups and SME’s to global brands, across the b2b, b2c and Higher Education sectors. Adam has developed marketing & digital marketing strategies, managed their implementation, along with lecturing and coaching students and SME’s across a number of marketing discipline’s.
Adam Foster
Adam is the Head of Marketing & PR at Alt Labs. His expertise has been developed across varying business sizes ranging from start-ups and SME’s to global brands, across the b2b, b2c and Higher Education sectors. Adam has developed marketing & digital marketing strategies, managed their implementation, along with lecturing and coaching students and SME’s across a number of marketing discipline’s.
Charlotte Rogers
Charlotte is the Product & Innovation Manager for Alt Labs. She founded her own water bottle business from university and has experience of undergoing incubation and acceleration programme, as well as product development and ownership. Charlotte now shares her experiences with start-ups through coaching and mentorship.
Charlotte Rogers
Charlotte is the Product & Innovation Manager for Alt Labs. She founded her own water bottle business from university and has experience of undergoing incubation and acceleration programme, as well as product development and ownership. Charlotte now shares her experiences with start-ups through coaching and mentorship.
Our Team
Barry Lloyd
Michael Davies
Imran Anwar
Paul Suggitt
Adam Foster
Charlotte Rogers
Have an idea?
Along with our team, as part of the TfWL programme, successful applicants will have access to key stakeholders across Transport for Wales and their partners. If you have an innovative idea or product – we’d love to hear from you.