Researches, surveys and countless support groups, what are we doing with our mobility for the coming years. And all this in a period in which we are calling together to keep a distance and to travel as little as possible and to work from home. Nevertheless, common observations are made. Weather conditions appear to be the main obstacles, to the detriment of cycling and walking. 

'first and last mile' remains a problem

Public transport can help us on our way. The first leg and the last leg of the journey remains a major problem for many business travelers. The market cleverly anticipates this need shared car launch concepts in busy regions. Yet this is not always the solution to our problem outline.

“How are you going to collect a shared car from Liempde while the cars are on the marketplace in Boxtel? This has not been considered in all these concepts, ”said Jan van Kasteren during the last MaaS meeting of the MaaS Lab.

Yet the solution is simple! Shared car businesses, but also local taxi companies, for example, can make a deal with each other to bring drivers to the car. Special one 'first' or 'last'mile rates can help in this'carsharing'more attractive. After all, many taxis travel through the city without customers on their way to stands or other locations such as hospitals, day institutions or hotels.

public transport continues to score poorly

For the train, metro, tram or bus, punctuality is seen by more than half as a major obstacle to the use of public transport. The reliability of the service, the arrangement of connections to other forms of public transport and the time needed to reach the destination are also obstacles to the use of all these modes of transport. 

More specifically, with regard to train use, the cost of travel and the availability of parking spaces near the stations are also perceived as more of an obstacle than an incentive. The main reason for preferring the car lies in the flexibility and also the freedom it offers because it is not bound by a timetable. The comfort, speed and efficiency of the car compared to other modes of transport are also seen as driving factors. 

Also read: Corona crisis causes taxi companies to innovate during lockdown