MaaS - Mobility as a Service

A one-stop-shop app for mobility services

MaaS works out the best option for every journey – whether that’s a taxi, public transport, a rental car or a bike share. From office commutes to weekend getaways, it manages daily travel in the smartest way possible.

IRU is a founding member of the European MaaS Alliance, advocating the idea of transport as a service, which passengers will buy only when they need it. One size fits all is no longer an option.

Dynamically updated and user-relevant information should be the norm and not an exception. This trend is set to grow due to the growth of urban populations and changing preferences of younger generations that care less about ownership and more about experiences.

MaaS offers an opportunity to improve how people and goods move, both for policy makers and for passengers.

What is MaaS

The key concept behind Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is to put the user at the core of transport services, offering them tailor made mobility solutions based on their individual needs. MaaS is the integration of various forms of transport modes into a single mobility service accessible on demand. It combines all possible transport modes, enabling users to access services through a single account with a monthly fee.

Within the MaaS scheme, users will buy a mobility package according to their profiles and preferences (for example business mobility package, family package, etc.) and pay a fee accordingly. The package will include access to a number of trips using different transport modes (local public transport, a number of taxi rides, use of a shared car up to a certain amount of kilometres, etc.). A single app will allow users to see schedules, search for multi-modal travel solutions, book and pay.

The EU MaaS Alliance

A European MaaS Alliance has been founded to work on a common approach to MaaS across EU countries.  The MaaS Alliance is a public-private partnership creating the foundations for a common approach to MaaS, unlocking the economies of scale needed for successful implementation and take-up of MaaS in Europe and beyond. The main goal is to facilitate a single, open market and full deployment of MaaS services.

Across Europe MaaS initiatives are planned or initiated. The MaaS Alliance will help them cooperate through a shared work programme, engaging transport operators, service providers and users.

There are four Working Groups addressing issues around:

• MaaS single market development
• User needs
• Regulatory challenges
• Technology

Their results will help create the foundation for a thriving MaaS network in Europe and beyond.

IRU’s role in MaaS

As a founding member of the European MaaS Alliance IRU’s vision is to to promote the integration of taxis, buses and coaches within the MaaS system, ensuring  the appropriate level of service to customers, the adoption of sustainable business, and clearing and fare management models for road operators through enabling technology and interoperability rules.

While the future deployment of MaaS is not yet defined, it is clear that there is already a trend towards a one-stop-shop app for mobility services, which will require operators, industries and policy makers to come together to gauge the reaction of the market and shape a constructive regulatory framework. Interoperability of data and services, internet-based platforms for information, booking and travelling will need to be increasingly open to integration across transport modes.

IRU currently participates in MOBINET via IRU Projects and has created UpTop for taxi members to facilitate MaaS developments.