NS, RET and HTM are also focusing on the digital accessibility of the whole of the Netherlands, for which Siemens Mobility is building a national MaaS platform River. The platform makes it possible to plan, book and pay for a trip with different means of transport in one go online. The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) approved the introduction of this platform for Mobility as a Service last year. Siemens Mobility is building the MaaS platform River and is working on the mobility of tomorrow. With solutions for, among other things, integrated traffic management and the operation / control of tunnels, locks and bridges, they literally and figuratively guide traffic in the right direction. 

“Our travel behavior changes after the pandemic. We travel, work and learn more flexibly: in time, place and choice of means of transport. That is why we are now investing in the best travel options for consumers. We want to lower the threshold to easily plan, book and pay for a trip with multiple modes of transport. That is why we are calling on all Dutch mobility providers to join. ”

The first apps from MaaS providers are expected to be launched in the autumn with which consumers can plan their multimodal journey throughout the Netherlands. With the new platform, it will soon be much easier for consumers to use available means of transport. The platform can be connected to existing apps from MaaS providers such as NS, RET, HTM. But the platform can also operate other existing apps and new apps. The speed gain is that all individual transport options on the route become visible at once.

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new entity

The new entity River takes care of the operation of the platform, connects new parties and directs further development. Siemens Mobility is building a platform that makes it technically possible to plan, book and pay for a tailor-made trip with different means of transport. As shareholders, NS, RET and HTM jointly own the new joint venture that will operate the MaaS platform. They have been deliberately distanced from day-to-day operations to ensure neutrality.

The Flemish transport company De Lijn previously participated in a consortium with the technology company Siemens and In2com, the call center of the Kortrijk entrepreneur Christian Dumolin, with the public contract for the operation of the Mobility Center, but dropped out prematurely. According to Ann Schoubs, the new director general. the risks linked to the specifications were too high. From next year, not only will call buses in the Flemish countryside, but a mix of public and private means of transport such as taxis, local buses, shuttles and shared cars.

Also read: Mix of taxis, shared cars and buses in Flanders

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