What is the definition of MaaS?

Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is the integration of various forms of transport services into a single mobility service accessible on demand. It allows users to plan, book, and pay for multiple types of travel (train, bus, bike) via a single digital platform.

How does MaaS impact railways?

MaaS positions railways as the central backbone of urban mobility. By connecting trains seamlessly with 'last mile' solutions like scooters or taxis, MaaS increases rail ridership and makes public transport a viable alternative to car ownership.

What is Level 3 MaaS?

Level 3 MaaS involves the integration of service bundles or subscriptions. Instead of paying for each trip individually, a user pays a monthly fee to access a package of mobility services (e.g., unlimited rail + 10 taxi rides + free bike share).

The End of Ownership: Unlocking MaaS (Mobility as a Service)

Ditch the car keys. Explore Mobility as a Service (MaaS), the digital revolution integrating trains, buses, and scooters into one seamless app for total travel freedom.

December 11, 2025 8:17 am

What is Mobility as a Service (MaaS)?

Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is a digital concept that shifts transportation from a model of personal vehicle ownership to a model of consuming mobility as a service. It integrates various forms of transport services—such as trains, buses, trams, taxis, bike-sharing, and e-scooters—into a single, on-demand digital interface. Through a single app, users can plan, book, and pay for a door-to-door journey involving multiple modes of transport.

The Railway as the Backbone

In a successful MaaS ecosystem, the railway network serves as the high-capacity “backbone.” While shared bikes or scooters solve the Last Mile problem (getting from the station to the final destination), trains handle the heavy lifting of moving large volumes of people over longer distances efficiently. MaaS aims to make this combination so convenient that owning a private car becomes unnecessary.

The Four Levels of MaaS Integration

MaaS is not just about having an app; it is about the depth of integration between operators. The industry recognizes four distinct levels:

Level 1: Integration of Information. A route planner that shows data from different operators (e.g., Google Maps), but you cannot book tickets.
Level 2: Integration of Booking & Payment. Users can find, book, and pay for different trips (train + taxi) within a single app.
Level 3: Integration of Service Bundles. Mobility is sold as a subscription (e.g., “Whim” app). For a monthly fee, you get unlimited train rides and 50 taxi kilometers.
Level 4: Integration of Societal Goals. The system is managed by policies to reduce traffic and carbon emissions (Smart Cities).

Comparison: Traditional Transport vs. MaaS

Feature	Traditional Model	MaaS Model
User Experience	Fragmented (Multiple apps/tickets)	Unified (Single app/account)
Payment	Pay per ride / Separate transactions	Single payment or Monthly Subscription
Focus	Mode-centric (Bus vs. Train)	User-centric (Fastest way A to B)
Data Sharing	Siloed (Private to operator)	Open API (Shared ecosystem)

The Role of Data and Smart Ticketing

MaaS relies heavily on Big Data and open APIs. For the system to work, a train operator must share real-time location data and ticketing protocols with the MaaS platform. This requires a shift from proprietary “Smart Cards” to open, account-based ticketing systems (like contactless bank cards or QR codes) that can seamlessly calculate fares across different transport providers.