Skip to main content

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.

UTC

Related Content

  • July 3, 2018
    Kolumbus to operate autonomous bus service in Norway
    Norwegian public transport operator Kolumbus is now operating an autonomous bus service outside the city of Stavanger to provide commuters with easier access to mass transit. The vehicles run between existing bus stops and office buildings in the Frosu area. According to a report by ZDNet, the Norwegian ministry of transport’s licence requires a Kolumbus employee to be on board the Easy Mile EZ10 vehicle and ready to intervene if a dangerous situation takes place. The ministry has also set a maximum
  • October 9, 2019
    Uber launches shift worker-to-job platform
    Not content with ride-hailing and food delivery, Uber has branched into the employment market. The company has launched its Uber Works platform in Chicago, a service which aims to connect workers with businesses that need to fill available shifts. In a blog post, Uber says the app makes it easier to find and claim a shift “for positions as diverse as being a prep cook, warehouse worker, a commercial cleaner or event staff”. The app also includes information about gross pay, work location and skills, re
  • January 30, 2019
    Zenuity gets green light to trial self-driving cars on Swedish highways
    Zenuity, a joint venture between vehicle solution manufacturer Veoneer and Volvo Cars, is to trial self-driving cars on Swedish highways at a maximum speed of 80km/h. Dennis Nobelius, CEO at Zenuity, says the vehicles will collect important data and improve the company’s safety functions to make unsupervised cars a reality. Transportstyrelsen, the Swedish transport agency, has approved the trials which will take place on the E4 between Stockholm and Malmö; Road 40 between Jönköping and Gothenburg; a
  • May 1, 2013
    Designers explore the future of transport and passenger experience
    Industrial designers from around the world are meeting in London next month to explore the future of transport systems, how to improve the passenger journey from home to destination and how greater integration and connectivity can enhance the transport user experience. Paul Priestman, designer and co-founding director of international design consultancy Priestmangoode will lead the debate in the Wired Transport: Connected trains, planes and automobiles session at the Product Design and Innovation Conference