- MaaS could make transport more efficient and cost-effective for passengers, while creating new opportunities for operators
- IRU calls for action to overcome obstacles in the way of realising these opportunities
IRU has published its position on Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) calling for improved awareness of the benefits and risks of MaaS as well as a balanced approach as the industry pushes to embrace MaaS.
The increasing number of “smart cities” – those with advanced digitalisation of processes – has facilitated the growth of MaaS, which integrates various transport services – including collective transport, taxis, cars and bikes – into a single mobility service, accessible via an app on demand.
While MaaS has the potential to provide a range of benefits for people and the road transport industry there are a number of challenges, which must be overcome ahead of its successful implementation, including: issues with price structures; regulatory questions around liability; risks involved with data handling; and a lack of maturity of MaaS business models.
In the EU, around 2 million people are employed by 370,000 companies operating in the passenger road transport sector*. The majority of these businesses are small and medium sized (SMEs) with less negotiation leverage and limited resources. Political intervention is therefore needed in the interest of companies and passengers alike.
IRU’s new position paper is calling for political action to address open questions around MaaS:
1. Governance: access conditions to MaaS and terms and conditions within MaaS must be clearly defined to include at least the following requirements:
a. Public authorities should assure that MaaS systems are inclusive and not established as closed ecosystems available to only some operators or modes of transport.
b. MaaS operators should have defined responsibilities, such as a check-your-partner obligation, and specific limitations regarding ranking of transport services displayed to customers (e.g. prohibiting self-promotion).
c. Public authorities selecting MaaS operators/integrators must observe transparent, non-discriminatory and objective criteria and procedures, mirroring the public procurement legislation.
2. Data: data sharing and re-use must be regulated. As data is becoming the new currency, general data protection rules for businesses are needed. Data reciprocity and portability (the possibility for a platform user to retrieve its data and move it to other platforms) cannot be left to the free will of the market.
3. Costs: cost issues for transport operators must be adequately addressed. Provision of quality data and minimum data sets should not lead to the exclusion of SMEs, which cannot afford the gathering and providing of such data.
Matthias Maedge, General Delegate at IRU, commented: “MaaS will play a significant role in the future of urban travel and it should result in better efficiency and revenue opportunities for road transport operators. While envisioning the opportunity, we must urgently address the open regulatory questions around MaaS.”
The IRU position paper is available to view here.
*Source: EU Energy & Transport in Figures, Statistical Pocketbook, 2018
Notes to editors
About IRU
IRU is the world road transport organisation, promoting economic growth, prosperity and safety through the sustainable mobility of people and goods. Founded in 1948, IRU has members and activities in more than 100 countries.
Press contact
Maria Dinis – Communications Manager, IRU Brussels
maria.dinis@iru.org
+32-2-743 26 01