Mobility as a Service is on the move again

Plans to bring a Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platform to the West Midlands have been launched following previous unsuccessful attempts to provide a region-wide system giving everybody access to all transport modes and parking in one place.

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) envisions MaaS as a means of delivering on aims set out in the region’s Local Transport Plan by building trust through an enhanced user experience, integrating ticketing and information and helping decarbonise the transport network.

TfWM has appointed FOD Mobility Group to help design, develop and deliver the app using its Mobilleo MaaS platform. The FOD system will replace the existing TfWM app.

The new app is seen as a way to boost use of public and shared transport in the region. Wherever the user wants to travel to, the app will give them the most convenient, cost-effective and sustainable option, tailored to their individual preferences.

The app will enable users to plan journeys, receive live travel information, book and pay for all local transport options –including buses, trains, trams, e-scooters, walking, cycle hire, taxis, Demand Responsive Transport (DRT), car rental, car clubs and parking.

TfWM executive director Anne Shaw said: “TfWM is putting unprecedented investment into growing our Metro, rail, bus and active travel networks. As well as developing travel modes, we need to look closely at how we can make accessing transport as seamless as possible through simple plan, book and pay mechanisms. This will encourage more people to use public and shared transport, or active travel and reduce private car use.

“With this new Mobility as a Service platform we are looking to do just that. We are working with some of the best British tech and mobility companies to design an app which is easy to use, convenient and offers great value. This will be a one stop shop for anyone looking to travel around the West Midlands.”

Transport for West Midlands is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). Led by the Mayor of the West Midlands, the WMCA brings together 17 local councils to oversee the transfer of powers and funding from Whitehall to the West Midlands.

FOD Mobility Group’s chief executive, Justin Whitston, said: “We are delighted to be working with TfWM on what will be an exciting and scalable Mobility as a Service project, powered by our Mobilleo platform.”

Alongside FOD Mobility Group, TfWM is working with a range of partners including consultants Arcadis, which is providing behaviour change advice, cycle company Brompton Bike Hire and the Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Car Club.

TfWM has revived its ambition to provide a ‘one platform, one account’ travel system despite the collapse of a previous arrangement for a MaaS offer operated by Whim. The Finnish company MaaS Global launched Whim in the West Midlands in April 2018, with its MaaS platform as a series of trial payment packages including public transport, taxi and car hire. However, in early 2019, MaaS Global withdrew Whim due to low uptake.

Parking technology specialist Metric Group has unveiled a Software as a Service (SaaS) solution designed to help local authorities, NHS trusts, universities and car park operators manage all aspects of their parking operations.

Metric Connect is a suite of tools hosted in an integrated cloud-based solution. It aims to streamline processes for users and enable both private and local authority operators to manage notice processing from end to end.

The service includes PayMyPark, a cashless payment app and website, an enforcement app and back-office notice processing system. The suite also features a configurable permit back-office management module and customer selfservice PCN and permit websites.

Metric says additional benefits include an intelligent automatic workflow system and much more.

Oz Choudhri, head of mobility solutions, UK and Ireland for Enterprise said: “Enterprise already has a strong presence throughout the West Midlands through our rental and car club operations. We are confident that we will further grow this presence, enabling us to play a key role in delivering shared and sustainable transport. We will be working with TfWM on a number of social value projects which will engage with residents and businesses.”

Other project partners include ITO World, which provides realtime public transport data across the West Midlands, and Euclid and Unicard, who are responsible for integration with the Swift smart travel scheme. Local authority and transport operator partners will collaborate on the app development.

The West Midlands MaaS app’s development has been funded from the Department for Transport’s Future Transport Zone programme.