Shared mobility success needs collaboration more than competition

It’s clear that the auto industry has its sights on shared mobility, but in a model that is much closer to Uber and Lyft’s taxi-alternative than true co-mobility or shared modes such as Uber Pool or Lyft Line, which connect potential clients with other passengers with the same route or location. BMW and Daimler have launched a combined car-sharing venture called  ‘Jurbey’ and, under the terms of their deal, reports Automotive News, which includes Daimler's Car2Go and BMW's DriveNow as well as ride-hailing, parking and charging services, the two automakers will each hold a 50 percent stake in the joint venture.

Bus operators are also looking closely at shared, demand responsive services: Chariot may have closed its demand responsive bus service in the UK, but ArrivaClick continues and is an important part of the shared mobility mix. ArrivaClick’s Jack Holland will be talking about the ethos behind Arriva’s success at the Shared Transport Masterclass in Leicester on 22 February.

The shared mobility sector gets busier by the day, but true integrated shared mobility systems rely on collaboration, not competition. A recently released international benchmarking study for implementing shared mobility services showed that establishing and regulating innovative shared mobility projects relies on players working together, from public-private partnerships to visionary leadership, from policy breakthroughs to fare payment innovations. The study defined four key areas needed for success:

• Boundary-defying public-private partnerships and contracting methods
• Proactive planning and design for shared infrastructure and electrification.
• Forward-thinking transit agency leadership with a vision for shared mobility connectivity
• Development of 'whole community' approaches to reduce personal vehicle travel and to create and support shared mobility

The Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) carried out the study, focusing on programmes and projects from across Europe, and the study summary and full reports are available online.

Many of the findings echo those being documented by the ShareNorth project team, who, working with CoMoUK, are sharing their learning as a first step to creating shared mobility pledges for the UK as part of integrated shared mobility strategies. The initiative will be launched at the Shared Transport Masterclass in Leicester on 22 February, so join us to kick-start this important new collaborative venture in sustainable mobility.