Wednesday, 7 August 2019
Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is the concept of seamlessly integrating available transport modes and services to allow customers to plan, undertake and pay for their door-to-door journey through one mobile app, using as many transport services as they need.
“The concept of MaaS, sometimes also referred to as ‘combined transport‘, has developed over the last 4-5 years from the leadership of northern European countries like Sweden and Finland. If designed appropriately, MaaS is a chance to progressively rethink the overall transport offering based on services rather than vehicle ownership,” says Richard Delplace, Austroads Network Program Manager.
“With the emergence of on-demand transport solutions such as ride hailing, bike sharing and car sharing accessible as a service, the way public infrastructure and transport services are planned, operated, regulated and funded is being challenged. Opportunities in Mobility as a Service (MaaS) presents ways the public sector can influence the evolution of MaaS to meet sustainable and responsible societal outcomes by developing an integrated mobility strategy, supporting new business models, and managing the impacts on existing and planned public transport infrastructure and services.”
The report explores challenges and opportunities international, Australian and New Zealand transport agencies are already facing, and captures current thinking and approaches to encourage further collaboration on the topic.
“MaaS does not mean a one-size-fits-all solution, but some common public-sector objectives are already emerging and are explored in this report,” says Richard.
These include:
- positioning public transport at the centre of MaaS models
- increasing vehicle occupancy by discouraging the use of single-occupant vehicles
- using existing infrastructure capacity more efficiently by reallocating road space
- improving transport-land use integration, streetscapes and urban environments
- improving transport access, fairness and social equity.
“More practical learning is needed through trials and pilot projects to inform how MaaS can be designed and operated, and to determine the role of the public sector,” says Richard. “Public sector involvement is important to ensure new mobility solutions and business models integrate with existing and planned services, to ultimately guarantee the overall public good and societal outcomes such as access, fairness, and social equity.”
Report link: Opportunities in Mobility as a Service (MaaS)
No charge but registration essential. Can't make the live session? Register and we'll send you a link to the recording. Register now!