Shared Mobility: Moving Towards an Integrated Approach

Despite the downturn in adoption of shared mobility services due to COVID-19, the shared mobility market has emerged strongly driven by new business models, city initiatives, electrification, and connected technology. Emerging city initiatives such as development of 15-minute cities, restructuring of transport infrastructure such as bike and high occupancy lanes, car free city centers, and development of shared mobility hubs would be instrumental in catalyzing adoption of shared mobility  services. Some of the key shared mobility services include:

1. Ride-Hailing:

Ride-hailing services like Uber, Lyft, Bolt, Gett, Grab, and Ola have continued to expand globally, offering on-demand transportation through mobile apps. New business models have included subscription plans, loyalty programs, and partnerships with other companies (e.g., Uber Eats).

2. Car Sharing:

Car-sharing services like Zipcar, Enterprise's CarShare, and Free2Move allow users to rent vehicles for short periods, often by the hour. Car-sharing companies have introduced flexible pricing plans, electric vehicle options, and integrated services with public transportation.

3. Demand-Responsive Transit:

Companies like Via, Ioki, The Routing Company, and Padam Mobility provide on-demand transit services that optimize routes based on real-time passenger demand. Demand responsive transit can replace uneconomical public transport routes, thereby increasing the overall efficiency of a city’s mobility system. Pricing models often include flat fees or dynamic pricing based on distance or time.

4. Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) and Digitization of Public Transport:

MaaS platforms like Whim, Trafi, Skedgo aim to integrate various transportation services into a single app, offering users a seamless experience across public transit, ride-hailing, bike-sharing, and more. Pricing models include subscription plans and pay-as-you-go options. Customers can leverage real-time information, trip planning, booking and ticketing services through apps. Integration of payment platforms is expected to drive further adoption of MaaS by increasing convenience and single accounting. Companies such as Masabi, SkedGo, and Trafi offer digital solutions to enhance public transportation.