What is MaaS and how does the taxi industry fit in?

The concept of mobility as a service (MaaS) has been gaining popularity in recent years as cities around the world look for innovative ways to help their residents get around more efficiently and sustainably.

At its core, MaaS is a system that integrates various modes of transportation such as buses, trains, bikes, and taxi services into a single platform that users can access through an app or website.

One of the key components of MaaS is the inclusion of taxi services, whether that be traditional taxis or more disruptive ride-share services like Uber and Lyft. This is seen as important, with taxis playing a vital part of a city's transportation network, particularly for people who live in areas not well-served by public transit. By incorporating taxis into the MaaS system, users can easily book a cab on-demand or in advance and know how much it will cost.

One city that has successfully deployed a MaaS system with taxis included is Helsinki, Finland. The city's Whim app allows users to plan and pay for any trip using any mode of transportation, whether it's a bus, train, taxi, bike share, or even a car rental. Helsinki's MaaS system has been so successful that the company behind it, MaaS Global, has expanded to other cities in Europe and Asia.

Another example of a city that has successfully implemented MaaS with taxis is Singapore. The city-state's Beeline app allows users to book rides on both traditional taxis and ride-sharing services, as well as shuttle buses and private hire cars. The app also provides real-time route planning and public transit information, making it easy for users to choose the most efficient and cost-effective way to get around.

As cities around the world continue to grow and confront new transportation challenges, MaaS with taxi integration is seen as the holy grail of public transport creating a more sustainable and efficient urban mobility system.