The workshop titled “Sfide e Soluzioni per il Futuro del MaaS” (Challenges and Solutions for the Future of MaaS), conducted under the Gemini project, brought together representatives from mobility operators, public authorities, and technology providers.
The event aimed to address the implementation challenges of Mobility as a Service (MaaS) across European cities and explore innovative solutions for sustainable urban mobility.
Participants
A total of 20 participants joined the workshop: 10 in presence and 10 online.
- City of Turin – Public local stakeholder
- Metropolitan City of Turin – Public local stakeholder
- Intellera Consulting – Consulting company specialised for public organisation and public sector
- Arriva Italia – Long ride bus company
- Pluservice – MaaS Integrator
- MooneyGo – MaaS Operator
- WeTaxi / Wetechnology – MaaS Operator and Taxi service provider
- Bluegreen Strategy – Consultancy company
- 5T – In-house providing company for the mobility of City of Turin, Metropolitan City of Turin and Piedmont Region
- TTS Italia – Italian national ITS Association
- Inlecom Systems – Research & Innovation Management Consultants
- ITA – Instituto Tecnológico de Aragón – Technological institute
- Virtual Vehicle Research GmbH – R&D center for virtual vehicle technology
- Konnecta Systems – IT Consultancy
Objectives
The primary objective was to explore innovative MaaS solutions, address operational challenges, and foster collaboration between public and private actors.
The discussions focused on creating synergies to enhance service integration, user accessibility, and environmental sustainability in the region. The event also served as a platform to strengthen the local MaaS ecosystem and align it with broader project objectives.
Free floating models and shift towards station-based solutions
Public authorities noted the decline of free-floating mobility services like e-scooters and car sharing due to sustainability and urban management issues. The concentration of vehicles in central areas and the lack of service in outlying regions were identified as major concerns.
Participants discussed how the free-floating model often leads to an uneven distribution of vehicles, with operators focusing on high-demand areas while neglecting peripheral zones. This situation results in low accessibility for residents outside city centers and raises questions about equitable mobility.
Several representatives suggested that station-based or hybrid models (combining elements of free-floating and station-based systems) may offer a more sustainable alternative.
These models ensure that vehicles are available at designated locations, making it easier to manage fleets and reduce operational costs.
It was also highlighted that station-based services can be strategically located near public transport hubs, creating Mobility Hubs that integrate different modes of transport. This would not only improve service efficiency but also support the concept of “last-mile” connectivity.
Optimization of fleet management and vehicle placement thanks to the use of data.
The participants emphasized the importance of data-driven approaches to optimize vehicle deployment.
Public authorities showed interest in using real-time data to monitor the location and availability of shared vehicles, ensuring that service coverage meets demand, especially in underserved areas.
Suggestions included using predictive analytics to anticipate areas of high demand and dynamic repositioning of fleets to enhance service accessibility.
Role of Public Authorities in shaping MaaS
Participants underscored the critical role of public authorities in setting regulations and policies that guide mobility service development.
There was a request for more incentives and regulatory frameworks that encourage operators to expand services into less profitable, yet strategically important areas.
Authorities also discussed public-private partnership models, where municipalities could support operators by providing subsidies or incentives for services in low-demand regions.
In exchange, operators would commit to serving designated areas outside the central zones.
Monitoring and managing shared fleets
Public representatives stressed the need for tools to monitor fleet performance, including tracking vehicle usage, maintenance needs, and service availability. Some participants shared experiences of using dashboard tools for real-time insights into vehicle distribution and service interruptions.
The City of Turin shared insights from its recent pilot with e-scooter management, where multiple operators were required to coordinate vehicle placement to avoid clutter and ensure equitable distribution.
Improving multimodal integration
There has been a strong emphasis on enhancing integration between shared mobility and public transportation.
Authorities highlighted the potential of MaaS to facilitate multimodal journeys by combining various services under a single platform, making it easier for users to plan and pay for their trips.
The participants actively talked about the use of incentives, such as discounted parking fees or integrated ticketing, to encourage users to switch from private cars to shared and public transport.
This multimodal integration is to be considered wide: discounts and incentives also for not mobility related services.
The future of mobility governance
The dialogue also covered the future of urban mobility governance, focusing on the need for a more coordinated and flexible regulatory approach.
As MaaS evolves, authorities should update policies to reflect new technologies and business models, ensuring they can adapt to changing mobility patterns.
Public sector participants expressed interest in setting standards for data sharing among mobility operators and establishing protocols for the use of real-time data in mobility management.
Outcomes and recommendations
The interactive session provided valuable insights into the real-world application of MaaS solutions. Key outcomes included:
- Support for hybrid mobility models: the shift towards station-based services was widely accepted as a practical solution for addressing the limitations, and sometimes damages, of free-floating models.
- Data-driven decision making: the need for data integration was reiterated, with a focus on using real-time information to improve service deployment and user experience.
- Public-private collaboration: effective MaaS implementation will require strong partnerships between the public sector and private operators, particularly to ensure equitable service provision.
- Adaptive governance: policymakers were encouraged to adopt flexible regulatory frameworks that can evolve with the changing mobility landscape.
Conclusions
The workshop concluded with a commitment to continued collaboration and knowledge sharing.
It provided a chance for stakeholders to openly discuss the practicalities of MaaS implementation and offered actionable insights to guide the future development of mobility solutions.
The discussions underscored the need for adaptive policies, data-driven management, and an approach based on public-private partnership and collaboration.