Service concept development in the transport industry - VR Group
D'Arcy, Patrik (2017)
D'Arcy, Patrik
Haaga-Helia ammattikorkeakoulu
2017
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2017121220764
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2017121220764
Tiivistelmä
Mobility as a service (often abbreviated as “MaaS”) is a service concept in which different forms of transportation are combined under one system or interface. For example, the mo-bile app Whim in Helsinki, Finland allows users to use public transport and have a set quota of taxi fares they can use, all for cheaper than if paid for individually.
This thesis presented a case for the viability of MaaS systems in the near future by bench-marking different, recent MaaS trials from around Europe. Companies with a vested interest in the transport industry were asked for their input on what they want to see in the near fu-ture concerning MaaS. In addition, a selection of candidates from the general public were asked for their opinions on MaaS, as well as ideas for how to improve upon current public transport offerings in Finland. Current MaaS systems were benchmarked in order to gain a better understanding of how they work and how successful they are.
Mixed method research involving an interview, a questionnaire, and benchmarking was con-ducted, and the results of the research indicate that there is significant demand for MaaS and combined transport in Finland. Both consumers and businesses are interested in what the future holds. It is recommended that VR cooperate generously and actively with other service providers in the transport industry, and do so through an interface such as a smartphone app.
The functionality of a MaaS app in Finland must include payment functionality through either ticketing, billing, or direct purchases – ideally all of the above. According to benchmarking results, the most popular and most successful business models and apps have the most robust and most widespread functionality, working across entire countries and offering as many different modes of transport as possible.
This thesis presented a case for the viability of MaaS systems in the near future by bench-marking different, recent MaaS trials from around Europe. Companies with a vested interest in the transport industry were asked for their input on what they want to see in the near fu-ture concerning MaaS. In addition, a selection of candidates from the general public were asked for their opinions on MaaS, as well as ideas for how to improve upon current public transport offerings in Finland. Current MaaS systems were benchmarked in order to gain a better understanding of how they work and how successful they are.
Mixed method research involving an interview, a questionnaire, and benchmarking was con-ducted, and the results of the research indicate that there is significant demand for MaaS and combined transport in Finland. Both consumers and businesses are interested in what the future holds. It is recommended that VR cooperate generously and actively with other service providers in the transport industry, and do so through an interface such as a smartphone app.
The functionality of a MaaS app in Finland must include payment functionality through either ticketing, billing, or direct purchases – ideally all of the above. According to benchmarking results, the most popular and most successful business models and apps have the most robust and most widespread functionality, working across entire countries and offering as many different modes of transport as possible.