How can we effectively design multimodal solutions in our cities?

Back in 2011, as a fresh mobility consultant in Geneva, I was thrust into the complexities of designing transport solutions for the Grand Paris Express project. It was then that I began to understand how to integrate multimodal transport solutions. During the definition of the project, it was a requirement to enlarge the service area (or catchment area) of future stations by facilitating all transport modes to complement these and enhance their impact.?

Beyond the proposed measures, which have largely enhanced the overall public transport quality, competitiveness, and accessibility, multimodal transport was also about creating a seamless, sustainable, and convenient travel experience for everyone while reducing car dependency and its negative impacts on urban life. Complementary to intermodality, which refers to a door-to-door trip, multimodality is a lifestyle, in which citizens can be emancipated from car dependency by finding transport modes as accessible as possible to their homes?

But how can we effectively design multimodal solutions in our cities??

Promoting an attractive and qualitative environment for active mobility?

For instance, while a 15-minute walk (the average time in which a commuter is likely to reach a train station) might cover 1.2 kilometres, the same time on a bike could extend the station's catchment area to 5 kilometres—provided the infrastructure is safe, accessible, and includes secure parking facilities nearby.?

Studies from City Form Lab (MIT) have shown that creating an attractive walking and cycling environment that addresses physical barriers, green infrastructure, urban design, traffic, and noise can significantly impact the perceived commuting time to and from stations. From UITP (International Association of Public Transport)’s Policy Brief Pathways to a multimodal lifestyle: “Up to 90% of people access nowadays to Public Transport by walking. Attractive environment can potentially triple the number of households and therefore the people willing to use the station”. Lidia Signor , head of the Multimodal Mobility Unit at the heart of the UITP explains.?

Combining different transport modes?

A multimodal transport system should also consider expanding the impact of mass transit by restructuring local public transport services and synchronizing their schedules to guarantee a wider range of services in a reduced commercial time. An easy-to-read itinerary, supported by digital tools as well as a simple, unified pass that works across all transport modes (extensive to shared bikes for example) becomes essential as well.?

Last but not least, multimodal transport must embrace private owned transport as well, serving as a gateway to the competitive public and shared transport domain through the implementation of accessible park-and-ride facilities.?

As Lidia Signor emphasises: “Fast forward to today, and the complexity of transport has only grown. As, private shared mobility companies and governments alike must now leverage digital tools to bring multimodality to a wider scope, getting even closer to where citizens live and move (mobility hubs, shared bikes are only some examples), but also the access, whenever needed, to carsharing or cargo-bike-sharing allow performing some activities in which normally public transport could be limited (e.g: buying a furniture, painting cans or any other large/heavy object). All these actions ease the system to move towards multimodality”.?

Combining public transport with more tailored on-demand and shared mobility services, including peer-to-peer and volunteer-based solutions, can go a long way towards overcoming long-standing mobility deficits, especially in rural areas (See UITP’s Knowledge brief Combining transport solutions to solve rural mobility challenges). As Lidia states:

“We urge to rethink the rural mobility challenge. Despite having played a critical role in industry, commerce or agriculture, rural areas have been traditionally receiving less attention than their urban/periurban counterparts”.??

Boosting regulations and governance frameworks?

Creating a truly multimodal lifestyle requires more than just integrating different transport modes. It demands a holistic approach—combining governance models, market regulations, housing development, spatial and digital integration (think mobility hubs and MaaS platforms), as well as education, marketing, and communication. It's about building a seamless travel experience that offers real choice and reduces our dependency on private cars.?

As cities around the world continue to develop their Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs), adopting a multimodal approach is not just necessary—it's essential. Whether for climate change, pollution reduction, or simply creating more liveable urban spaces, the benefits of multimodality are undeniable. And on a personal level, the reduction in costs, stress, and time spent commuting is something we can all appreciate.?

Is your city ready to embrace multimodal transport? Reach out to: [email protected]