Alliance establishes Mobility-as-a-Service initiative

ERTICO – ITS Europe has announced the launch of a Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) providing a common approach that puts both travellers and goods at the core of transport services.

The Mobility as a Service common approach will be achieved through both public and private stakeholder cooperation and work towards a concept that puts the user, both traveller and goods, at the core of transport services. The alliance will offer tailor made mobility solutions based on individual needs. This means that, for the first time, easy access to the most appropriate transport mode or service will be included in a bundle of flexible travel service options for end users.

Today’s announcement follows the European ITS Congress in 2014 where MaaS received political support from the Finnish government which in turn produced the momentum to form the alliance. Sampo Hietanen, CEO of ITS Finland, explains: “MaaS is a new approach to changing mobility markets. It relies on existing and developing transport services and has huge chance for global scaling.”

Mobility-as-a-Service initiative will put the transport user at the core of services

Founding Partners of the Mobility as a Service Alliance include Aalborg University, AustriaTech,  Ericsson, ERTICO – ITS Europe, Federation International de l’Automobile (FIA) Region I, Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications, Helsinki Business Hub, IRU, Connekt, ITS Finland, ITS Sweden, ITS Ukraine, MOBiNET, National Mobile Payment Plc. (Hungary), Swedish Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation, Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation (Tekes), Transport for London, Vinnova, University of Tampere and Xerox.

Reacting to the recent announcement, Rasmus Lindholm, ERTICO’s Director of Communications and Partnership Development, said: “MaaS has the potential to fundamentally change the behaviour of people in and beyond cities, hence it is regarded as the biggest paradigm change in transport since affordable cars came into the market.”

Jacob Bangsgaard Director General, Federation International de l’Automobile (FIA) Region I, added: “Bundling services to simplify access to mobility is a key step to ensure the best use of all modes of transport. FIA Region I call upon the transport community to develop and combine these services based on the public’s concrete needs. In the FIA, we believe mobility must be safe, sustainable, accessible and affordable for all”

The official launch of Mobility-as-a-Service Alliance will take place at the ITS World Congress in Bordeaux on 06 October 2015. The Alliance still welcomes other partners to join the new venture.