Mobility marketplace minute: versatile role of multimodality

Public transport usage is significant in many cities, yet private car ownership remains dominant, contributing to urban congestion and emissions. In Tallinn, Estonia, for instance, 41% of the population uses public transport, but private car use continues to rise, up by 5% annually. This is a pattern seen across many urban centres, where reliance on personal vehicles challenges efforts to reduce emissions and promote sustainable transport options.?

The transition towards multimodality - integrating various modes of transport into a cohesive system - has emerged as one of the most effective ways to address these challenges. By seamlessly connecting public transport with active and shared mobility services like bikes, scooters and car-sharing, cities can create more efficient, accessible and sustainable systems.?

Multimodal hubs: a new era of connectivity?

At the heart of this shift are multimodal hubs, which link different forms of transport, enabling people to transition easily between buses, trains, bikes and more. These hubs simplify urban travel and reduce reliance on private cars, directly cutting emissions.?

In Mannheim, Germany, multimodal hubs have transformed the city’s landscape by integrating public transport with shared mobility services. Not only do these hubs organise mobility options in a more efficient manner, but they also streamline the urban environment by reducing clutter on sidewalks, previously caused by free-floating bikes and scooters. A key part of Mannheim’s success lies in regulatory coordination, which ensures that shared mobility services complement public transport rather than compete with it. This coordination offers valuable lessons for other cities aiming to implement similar systems.?

Other cities also have interesting approaches to multimodal hubs. Read the full article here . ?

Driving sustainable change through incentives?

Beyond infrastructure, innovative strategies like incentivising more sustainable travel behaviours are making waves. Cities like Lecce, Italy and Braga, Portugal have successfully used economic incentives to encourage their citizens to walk, cycle, and use public transport . Through a rewards-based system, locals earned redeemable points for every low-emissions trip, contributing to a 6.7% (Braga) and 15.2% (Lecce) increase in active mobility.?

This model not only nurtures sustainable travel habits but also supports local economies, as rewards can be spent in local shops. Such initiatives showcase how small incentives can lead to significant shifts in mobility behaviours, reducing car use (down by 4.6% in Braga and 8.1% in Lecce) and cutting emissions by nearly 30 tonnes of CO2 across the two cities.?

Data-driven urban mobility?

For cities to manage these shifts effectively, data is a critical asset. By collecting real-time travel data through bike sensors, GPS and other tools, cities can monitor mobility patterns and make informed decisions. This data-driven approach helps urban planners understand how residents move, where demand is highest, and which services need expansion or improvement.?

In Braga and Lecce, for example, the data gathered through Pin Bike ’s innovative tool, allowed authorities to visualise transport flows, finetune services and shape future mobility policies. This integration of data and mobility provides cities with the tools to optimise their transport networks and reduce emissions more strategically.?

The road ahead: collaboration for impact?

Successful multimodal systems are not just about infrastructure and technology. The role of collaboration between city governments, private mobility providers and public transport operators is vital. Without alignment, cities struggle to offer seamless transitions between transport modes, making it harder for citizens to switch away from car usage.?

Las Palmas, Spain illustrates both the potential and the challenges of such collaboration. The city has pioneered multimodal hubs integrating bike-sharing, e-scooters and bus routes, making last-mile connectivity smoother . However, obstacles like limited data sharing and collaboration between stakeholders still hinder progress. For cities to fully realise the benefits of multimodal hubs, investment in both physical infrastructure and stakeholder cooperation is essential.?

Multimodality and climate action?

As cities worldwide aim to reduce emissions, multimodality offers a clear path forward. By prioritising sustainable transport modes and reducing the dominance of private cars, cities can directly lower their carbon footprint and contribute to global climate goals.?

The future of urban mobility lies in embracing diverse transport options, creating accessible hubs and leveraging data for smarter planning. Multimodality is not just a solution for traffic congestion - it’s a critical component in the fight against climate change. The transformation begins at the local level, with cities taking the lead in reshaping their mobility ecosystems for a cleaner, greener future.?

Learn about the solutions that support the implementation of multimodal schemes along with over 440 products, more than 60 best practices and multiple market opportunities on the Mobility Innovation Marketplace. ??

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