5. GIG ECONOMY VERSUS LEGACY CARRIERS: solutions such as UberRUSH and GrabDelivery are based on one principle, i.e. rather than sending the guy to the destination, use the guy who’s already there.
How to translate this into mobility? SMART TECH AND SENSORS On a bright summer day, people like to cycle or walk, but on a rainy winter night, a taxi or hailed ride is more comfortable. Knowing the conditions of the last mile is essential: aggregators, such as ReachNow and Whim, can steer the mobility supply chain towards the most appropriate mode of transportation.
FORM FACTOR Micro-mobility, such as bicycles and scooters, take less space and are more mobile than cars. Not only are they easier to electrify, reduce noise and emission pollution, but they are also easier to fund, both for the provider and the user. In addition, they fulfil the modern city’s objectives of creating a friendlier city environment.
WAREHOUSING The principle behind warehousing is not to find an alternative mode of transportation, but to reduce the need for transportation. Similarly, for corporate mobility, the question needs to be asked: is a trip to the office really necessary? Various alternatives, such as WeWork space, home office and digital conferencing can, and should, replace part of the employees’ trips.
PREDICTIVE SOFTWARE The future fleet managers are no longer negotiating OEM agreements. They will spend their time analysing how asset usage can be maximised and selecting mobility vendors that can deliver what the employees need. The heatmap of employee movement will become an important tool for the mobility manager, as it will determine the supply chain and incentivise the vendor to fill in the gaps between offer and demand.
carsharing solutions are a good example of ready-to-use mobility.
Need for alignment The parallels between the last mile challenges of e-commerce and mobility are obvious. Nevertheless, the commercial mechanisms are entirely different: the mobility industry hasn’t even approximatively the market size of e-commerce. Also, the e-commerce consumer is entirely aligned with the industry in the need for fast and reliable last mile solutions, which is not the case for mobility. Mobility is a young industry, struggling with solutions as well as a customer base willing to pay for last mile options. Today, regardless of the parallels, it looks like the mobility industry is not benefiting from developments in the logistics industry, lacking the scale, the funding and the alignment between supplier and client.
GIG ECONOMY Last mile is typically not filled in by public transport, but by local solutions that are readily available. Pooling and
SAFETY
RIDEHAILING SAFETY TIPS Jonathan Manning
Business travellers using an Uber-type service require a different kind of guidelines and safety rules.
Most cities operate an official licensing system in which only licensed taxis will have an illuminated TAXI sign on their roof. Licensing usually means the driver, vehicle and insurance have been verified, which promises a safer environment than the less regulated ridehailing sector.
However, Uber, as the leading ridehailing firm, has worked with law enforcement agencies to create safety guidelines for customers:
1
Request the ride indoors and wait inside until the app shows the driver has arrived.
2
Before entering the car, check that the car registration plate, driver photo, and driver name all match the app.
3 4
Sit in the backseat so it’s safe to leave the vehicle on either side.
Tap ‘Share status’ in the Uber app to share the driver’s name, photo, vehicle, and location with a friend, who can also track the trip. 23
Share details of your Uber ride with a friend to ensure your safety.
5
Contact the driver through the Uber app – don’t share personal information.
FLEET EUROPE #107
The rapidly changing landscape of last-mile travel presents new duty of care responsibilities for companies. Employees may no longer be driving company cars into congested urban areas, but even as passengers in taxis and ridehailing cars their safety remains a corporate responsibility.