We asked Benjamin Bell, Director of Public Policy, Northern Europe & New Markets, TIER Mobility, to share his predictions for mobility in 2022.
Cities taking back control
“The early days of micro-mobility brought ease of movement but chaos too. Paris, for example, regretted opening itself up to 15 e-scooter operators and the street clutter that followed. Mayor Hidalgo, determined to reclaim control, issued a rigorous tender process and limited operations to the three players – TIER being one – most trusted to run a responsible service. Not only did new schemes like London take inspiration with their exacting standards, but mature markets such as Oslo, lightly regulated and overrun by mixed-quality operators, are saying ‘enough is enough’ and pursuing selectivity, hosting only businesses that can be trusted with a tidy streetscape and public safety. That is a growing trend we support.”
Rise of Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS)
“Apps that bundle all mobility services, enabling users to connect different modes to complete their trip, have been a goal of cities and a desire of consumers for years. For various reasons traction to date has been limited, but progress is real now, and the market size of MaaS in the EU is expected to grow from $25bn in 2017 to $450bn in 2030. Public and private actors are investing heavily in the technology, exploring different partnership structures, business models and regulations to make MaaS work. In the case of TIER, with almost 50 MaaS integrations across 70 cities and 13 countries, multimodal integration is integral to our DNA, and we are embracing the role that MaaS can play in transitioning cities to sustainable mobility. ”
Repurposing public space for people, not cars
“Vast amounts of space are dedicated to the movement and parking of congesting, polluting cars. European cities have led the way in repurposing land, with Barcelona, Paris and Oslo particular pioneers, reallocating the public realm to pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport, and ultimately making it easier to live without a private car. That is a trend we hope to see spread globally, helping places become more investable, and enabling people to enjoy a more healthy and sustainable lifestyle.”
You can explore more predictions from 24 global thought leaders and visionaries who are shaping the future of mobility, liveable cities and sustainable Transport, in our Global Thought Leaders Predictions for Mobility 2022 report.
