By Justin Ward, CIHT Head of Policy and Technical.

The Department for Transport (DfT) Future of Transport Programme has the ambition of inculcating innovation into the sector. CIHT supports the aims of this, which seek to create a sustainable and inclusive transport system.

One mechanism that can help with these aims is Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platforms, which can make journeys more convenient for users, enabling them to streamline, plan, book and pay for them. 

And, just as importantly, MaaS platforms can also encourage users to choose more sustainable modes of transport and empower more people to travel. 

The questions that the government asked in its consultation on a MaaS Code of Practice – and if there was a need for one – were helpful. The DfT’s consultation sought views on data, multimodal ticketing, accessibility and inclusion, algorithmic bias, and competition. The responses highlighted both challenges and opportunities, indicating there could indeed be benefit in having a Code of Practice.

Data, data everywhere

On the question of data, it’s perhaps unsurprising that the response to the consultation noted a need for the interoperability of data (i.e. having standards) and around data security and sharing. CIHT would see merit in having a Code, as this could address issues around data privacy for transport users and commercial organisations when sharing data.

On the topic of multimodal ticketing, there are well-known challenges, including commercial concerns around revenue sharing and the complexity of pricing structures. Again, a Code of Practice on MaaS could play a role in helping resolve these issues, by encouraging interoperability between modes and providing guidance on how providers can work together (including addressing consumer protection and liability issues). 

Accessibility and inclusion should be core to any MaaS system. A Code could therefore address concerns around digital exclusion, because not everyone owns or can use a smartphone. A Code could support an understanding of the legislative framework and act as a means by which the dissemination of good practice could occur.  Access to booking via phone and cash payments should be part of the MaaS ecosystem.

Customer satisfaction

Given CIHT is keen to ensure a strong focus on customer satisfaction for transport users, any Code must ensure clarity on who is liable to deal with any compensation claims from users (given the range of providers for a MaaS journey). Consumers require clear information on how to claim compensation.

The way that information is structured is also important in the choices we make. There is the potential to present journeys in a way that encourages users to travel by sustainable and/or active modes of transport options. The Code of Practice could be helpful in providing consistency of details of the carbon impact of journeys through adopting the same calculation methodology. 

On competition, a Code could cover first-mover advantage and exclusivity of rights of platforms that are first to launch, as well as challenges around how much market conditions could be addressed by a Code. If there is a bias in the MaaS system it should be in favour of user preferences, not specific operators. 

In conclusion, CIHT would be pleased to support the next stages of the development of a MaaS Code of Practice.