Ito World manifesto calls on cities to embrace MaaS

Data and alternative transport can combat congestion, pollution and private car dependency in global cities, says Ito World. The UK transit data specialist has published a manifesto which calls on cities to embrace Mobility as a Service (MaaS) to ‘unlock’ their future potential. The MaaS Manifesto: smart data and accessing a city’s potential insists cities also need to have the right infrastructure and ensure the public and private sectors work with emerging players. Ito World says city authorities u
September 25, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
Data and alternative transport can combat congestion, pollution and private car dependency in global cities, says 5957 Ito World. The UK transit data specialist has published a %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external manifesto false https://www.itoworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Manifesto_Final-1.pdf false false%> which calls on cities to embrace Mobility as a Service (8356 MaaS) to ‘unlock’ their future potential.


The MaaS Manifesto: smart data and accessing a city’s potential insists cities also need to have the right infrastructure and ensure the public and private sectors work with emerging players.

Ito World says city authorities using real-time data to understand people patterns and schedule joined-up services to meet demand is one of five key steps for realising the full opportunity of MaaS.

Other recommendations include: using real-time shared transport occupancy data to optimise services; providing accessible passenger information to encourage travellers to move away from private car use; and making cities people-friendly through establishing green community spaces. In addition, Ito World suggests city authorities should create safe walking and cycling routes to interconnect seamless multi-modal transportation.

Belgian politician Pascal Smet, minister of the government of the Brussels-Capital region, says it is up to city governments to redefine the role of public transport and form partnerships with innovators.

“Public transport needs to remain the backbone of a city. In the future, shared private automated services will have to connect to that backbone within a framework set out by city governments,” Smet adds.

According to the manifesto, MaaS requires a collaboration between private transport companies, data experts and public authorities to be a success in cities.

Authorities and operators working with data experts which utilise open and proprietary data will be able to deliver a single integrated dataset which gives a ‘total-city picture’ of transit options, the document adds.

Johan Herrlin, CEO at Ito World, says transport service providers, mayors, transport commissioners and city authorities are responsible for sharing data and putting measures in place to guide the behaviour of individuals to drive wider societal goals.

“We need to better encourage people to ditch the car and see public transport, bicycles and their own two feet as reliable methods to get around,” Herrlin adds.

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