This resource studies whether mobility as a service (MaaS) can be used to promote shared modes. Initial results from surveys showed that MaaS bundles can be used as a tool to introduce more travelers to shared modes.

"The Mobility as a Service (MaaS) concept has recently taken the transport industry by storm. However, as applications and research on it are limited, there is still little evidence on what this new phenomenon could bring to the transport sector. This paper aims to provide initial insights into whether MaaS product bundles (monthly subscription plans) can be used as a mobility management tool to promote shared modes. Data from an original survey, specifically designed to study MaaS plans, was used with Greater London as the case study area. The results show, that even though respondents do not prefer shared modes in their MaaS plans, a significant number of them are willing to subscribe to plans that include these modes. Once they have subscribed, over 60% of them indicated that they would be willing to try transportation modes that they previously did not use if their MaaS plans included them. These initial results show evidence that MaaS bundles can indeed be used as a mobility management tool to introduce more travelers to shared modes."

Key findings

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"In general, the individuals in our sample prefer the public transport options in their plans, while they prefer plans less when bike sharing, car sharing and taxi are included (please note, that due to the sample characteristics, this cannot be generalized to the wider population). These results were not unexpected, due to the habitual behavior of travelers. Further, they indicate that public transport should be the backbone of MaaS."

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"Upon deeper analysis of the chosen plans that respondents would subscribe to, we found that a high percentage of them include car and bike sharing, which are modes that are overall beneficial for society and the transportation system. Finally, responses to an attitudinal statement indicated that, over 60% of respondents would be willing to try transportation modes they previously did not use if their MaaS plans included them."

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"Overall, these results are promising and show the potential of MaaS bundles as a mobility management tool to introduce more travelers to shared modes. The outcomes are especially important to raise awareness about the decoupling between mode preferences in bundles and people’s willingness to purchase these in a number of cases. We foresee that these, albeit initial, results can be of value to the industry and transport operators as well as academia."

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