The Government is being urged to ensure guidelines for future Mobility as a Service solutions have standardised approaches to collaboration, avoid being prescriptive on modes and insist on mandatory data sharing.
The country’s intelligent transport systems industry association, ITS (UK), has responded to the Department for Transport’s consultation on a future MaaS Code of Practice.
After discussions with Members, ITS (UK)’s response says the Code must reduce or remove completely any barriers to entry for new participants by standardising the approach to engagement with local authorities and transport operators. It points out that, for transport operators, data transparency will have to have its limits, so the Code must be clear about how competition laws will be applied.
It advises that solutions must focus on quality, reliability and accessibility for travellers, and how to support them when things go wrong. “Information on safety and security is often an area overlooked and can be a major barrier to the use of public transport,” the response notes.
ITS (UK) also warns against including any binding requirements for frequency of service, type of vehicle (apart from already legally-required accessible vehicles), fare structures or anything else can vary between locations. It also says the Code should be general to allow new modes to be covered as they are introduced.
The response also covers advice about data, multimodal ticketing, accessibility and inclusion, and promotion of sustainable travel options.
“If done right, Mobility as a Service could bring so many efficiencies to the country’s transport network,” commented ITS (UK) Secretary General Jennie Martin, who collated the response. “Many of our Members have been working on the concept for several years and really do have important things to say. By drawing together their responses, we have provided a combined voice that I believe will really carry weight when considered by Government. It’s another great example of how ITS (UK) delivers both for its Members, and for the travelling public.”
ITS (UK) has also contributed to the Government’s consultation on the Transport Labour Market and Skills. Members can read both responses in the members’ area of the ITS (UK) website.
(Picture – Highways News)
