ABSTRACT
Based on the deployment of the mobility-as-a-service concept (MaaS), being experimented by smart cities around the world, this chapter presents a hypothetical scenario of a travel-based platform, along the lines discussed in Figure 4.1 in Chapter 4. The platform is an open-based system that offers dynamically integrated and personalized travel through strong collaboration within the travel value chain. The ubiquity of information has already enabled the opportunity to integrate various aspects of travel on a personalized basis. Moreover, the MaaS process has already proven that it can offer more choice and efficiency, plus it is user friendly. One only needs to look at the proven application of the MaaS concept in urban transportation in Helsinki, Finland. This city is successfully pursuing its goal to make the ownership of a personal car obsolete and replace it with MaaS. This encompasses trip planning and ride hailing easily, along with the booking, ticketing, and paying process, which is not only easy but also seamless. Mobility service options in Helsinki vary from an all-inclusive charge per month to pay-per-rides and encompass all forms of ground transportation: train, bus, minivan, taxi, rental car, and bike sharing.
