Keeping public transit at the center of shared mobility through MaaS

MaaS defined

MaaS is defined as the shift from personally owned modes of transportation toward different mobility services. In a stricter sense, it covers services like ride-hailing, ride-pooling, scooter and bike sharing offered by mobility service providers. In a broader sense, it implies that personal means of transportation are no longer necessary because, through MaaS, all modes of transportation will be available when needed as integrated services.

Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is central to today's conversations about tomorrow's shared mobility structure. For public transit providers, the idea of implementing MaaS can seem perplexing, overwhelming, and even daunting. The key to successful MaaS implementations will be regional Open Mobility Platforms created and run by public transit providers. These platforms will integrate different mobility services that are continually available, individually tailored and on-demand.

Connection is Key

In serving passengers and improving business for mobility providers, MaaS has the potential to be advantageous for all parties involved. The reality, however, is that transit agencies must be especially proactive to get the most out of a MaaS partnership.

As public transportation providers typically know their region best, they are in the unique position to combine themselves with new and even competing services under one mobility platform. This single, central platform would strategically combine strong fixed-route public transit services with on-demand services or shared mobility offers.

Setting the Standard: RegioMOVE

In Karlsruhe, Germany, transportation providers are paving the way in connecting mobility services on a single platform through the RegioMOVE project. The project combines mobility offers from several providers – from bike rentals, to bus and train – in one shared platform. Along with planned intermodal travel chains, end users will be able to book with a single click and pay just once, regardless of which modes they used. The project’s booking and payment platform is being developed by INIT.

Another essential part of RegioMOVE is the creation of mobility hubs in the region, called “ports.” This is where passengers will be able to transfer from one mode to another comfortably. In order to achieve this, an extensive analysis of locations and mobility demands is ongoing. A modular construction will make it possible to adapt the ports to the specific demands and requirements of the different locations, and still give them an unmistakable, unified brand.

The project is a testament to how innovative and effective Open Mobility Platforms can be for transportation providers and their communities.

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This article was published in our customer magazine, INITiative, issue 2/2019. If you want to receive the magazine regularly per email, we kindly ask you to subscribe.

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