The journey of transportation (4)

Implementation of an Integrated Demand Responsive Transportation System (2)

Combining different types of DRT into one system that's accessible to the general public and target groups can boost efficiency. It's called integrated DRT. Municipalities usually handle DRT for target groups, and provinces or public transport authorities handle DRT for the general public. This way, the municipalities of the province can pool their resources and provide DRT together. Municipalities can gain a procurement advantage by pooling their resources because economies of scale can be achieved. For true cooperation, all funds would go into one "pot" and be used to fund all transportation services. Combining financial resources will result in a more integrated approach to transportation. Because of the presence of different stakeholders, it's important to have a transparent and automated cost allocation and revenue sharing model for such a "pot." One "pot", one "platform". And this is where MaaS comes in.

Mobility as a Service (MaaS)

First let me explain about MaaS. You have a trip in mind but cannot find anywhere how to best combine that bus trip with a taxi. Or what about finding out information about using a shared car or the times of the next ferry? You go from one provider to the next and feel your frustration growing. MaaS is the answer for all frustrated and other travellers.

MaaS (Mobility as a Service), brings together different transport options on one platform with one payment channel. Goodbye consulting different providers and frustration, hello transport and convenience..

The main concept of MaaS is to offer mobility solutions based on personal travel needs. Travelers can plan, book and pay for their transport via one channel, without having to deviate from that channel.

Mobility as a Service has its origins in Finland with the Whim app. With this app you can book a taxi, buy a bus ticket or rent a city bike in just a few simple steps. All providers are connected and can be found via one app, making it a one-stop shop for all transport options. As the first MaaS provider since 2017, it has more than 300,000 users.

How does it work

You start planning your trip via a travel planner. Here you can indicate where you want to go, when and by which means of transport. The trip planner shows you the options based on travel time, costs and convenience. You choose the option that best suits your wants and needs, pay and you're ready to go. All necessary actions to guarantee the trip, such as booking a taxi or reserving a seat on the train, are arranged via the platform.

This means that MaaS fits into the 'on demand' category, but it also offers an opportunity to change the way we deal with transport services. What do you think of shared mobility services, such as car sharing, motor sharing, bike sharing, car pooling…? By using this as an alternative to your own car, the new needs and lifestyles of today's consumers are met. Simple as that!

Mobility hubs

We are all aware of the current challenges that cities and their road networks pose. Think of time-consuming traffic jams, long travel times, boring waiting times and air pollution. But where some see obstacles in the current infrastructure, MaaS sees opportunities. Consider the so-called mobility hub. Mobility hubs are physical nodes that connect a variety of transportation types. This can be a flow place where you find shared bicycles and cars or a bus station in the city centre, but can also be a standalone destination such as a shopping centre, workplace, café, restaurants, etc. By turning a mobility hub into a useful and attractive place, you not only improve accessibility, but can also promote urban renewal and offer opportunities for economic growth.

MaaS in Malaysia

According to Malaysia's Department of Statistics, Malaysians spend an average of RM611 per month on transportation. Even though the majority of commuters still use their car, MaaS has great potential. If commuting starts using mobility subscriptions, we would only need 25% of cars. To make MaaS a success, complex data sources must be linked together. This is only possible if the data is public and the various parties cooperate.

Looking for a better transit solution for your city?

Contact us and let's figure out how we can help you out!