Introducing: The Mobility Impact Series

We’re very excited to announce the launch of our Mobility Impact Series! 

The words “sustainability” and “mobility” are often mentioned in the same breath. As an industry, mobility is defined by innovations that claim to be based on the common goal of creating a more sustainable and healthier future for our cities and our planet.

But these “green” future visions often leave watchers of the mobility space scratching their heads: what does the term sustainable mobility really mean, anyway?

At Trafi, we’ve been helping cities build and enhance their mobility systems for over 10 years. We’re often approached about the sustainable impact of shared mobility, which is why we’ve decided to delve deeper into the topic with our new Mobility Impact Series.

In upcoming articles, we’ll be discussing “car-topias”, pedestrian-friendly cities, travel patterns and a variety of other subjects. Stay tuned to our LinkedIn channel and check our blog regularly for updates.

Without further ado, read on to learn more the roots of car-centric societies – and why the mobility landscape today is in need of an update.

We’re suffering from an acute car problem

If anyone still has doubts about cars being a hurdle on the road to sustainable mobility, there are numerous shocking statistics in circulation that could change their mind, as seen below.

There are plenty more:

• There are already 1.4 billion automobiles on the planet today, and forecasts suggest this number will climb to 2 billion in 2030.
• Road accidents cause 1.3 million deaths and 50 million serious injuries per year – more than the entire population of Spain.  
• Road transport accounts for 11.9% of global greenhouse gas emissions. That’s more than the emissions caused by airplanes and buildings combined. 
• The world’s parking lots take up a total space of 161 billion square meters, which is equivalent to the size of Beijing. 

These numbers aren’t new – scientists, activists and some industry players mention them frequently. However, sustainable mobility is rarely considered in its historical context. Seven decades ago, car manufacturers were selling the cutting-edge dream of a convenient, liberating and comfortable life, finally available to the middle classes for the reasonable price of one automobile; today, digital mobility innovators are disrupting old mobility habits with promises of greener, safer, friendlier cities. 

In essence, the core of their sales strategies are very similar: new, exciting mobility solutions have the power to transform our lives for the better. A myriad of solutions on the market today are aimed at improving bits and pieces of the system, but rarely tackle the root of the issue itself. Which of these promises are truly constructive waypoints on the road to liveable cities, and which are just bells and whistles distracting from bigger issues at hand?

Small thinking, big changes

Back when the VW Lemon (recognizable as the VW Beetle today) hit the American market in 1960, the advertising campaign surrounding its launch caused an incredible stir. “Think small”, the campaign’s slogan, was revolutionary, changing advertising forever and helping the tiny and somewhat odd-looking VW Lemon cruise its way into the luxury car market in the US – and permanently changing the way people perceived cars in the process. 

Up until that point, cars were shiny, large, and loud; the compact, rounder Lemon offered a stark contrast to American muscle cars and appealed to an entirely new segment of car owners. It made simpler cars fashionable, democratizing cars and making them accessible to everyone. 

Of course, advertising agencies aren’t the only ones responsible for societies and cities designed around cars. The entire urban planning system in the US encouraged car ownership and viewed automobiles as a convenient, modern transport solution. In the meantime, however, the American transit system was being rebuilt with the goal of linking suburbs to city centers, rather than linking suburbs with other suburbs or more rural areas.

Add cheap gasoline, large investments in highways and a whole range of car-friendly consumer services like drive-in cinemas and drive-through restaurants to the mix, and you end up with an obvious conclusion: cars were practically destined to become the ultimate symbols of a comfortable, modern, convenience-driven lifestyle. The rest, as they say, was history. 

Next stop: “Carification”

Between the end of WWII and 1955, the number of cars on US roads doubled from 25 million to over 50 million. The trend quickly shifted to Europe, where new industry needs and changing economy led to skyrocketing mass production of individual vehicles. During the decade of 1950 to 1960, European car manufacturers launched some of their now-legendary models – Citroen’s 2CV stayed in production until 1990! – and the streets of the continent were quickly filled with motorized status symbols.

Transport demand is expected to grow all across the world in the coming decades as the global population increases, incomes rise, and more people can afford cars.The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that global transport (measured in passenger kilometers) will double and car ownership rates will increase by 60%.

Even as everyone from impassioned teenagers to conservative politicians are demanding more sustainable solutions, further construction on the “car-topia” we’re living in continues unchecked. Hollow value propositions promote electrification and autonomous technology as the path to a better, sustainable future, without telling consumers and investors what that means in explicit terms. 

We believe MaaS works – but we can’t change the industry alone 

At Trafi, we believe in cities without privately owned cars. We have a different approach to mobility, and we think that genuinely effective and accessible mobility should be viewed as a service and a system that gets its strength from a diverse group of collaborators, leaders and city planners. The good news is that there are plenty of cities who have also pledged to work towards more cohesive and comprehensive mobility services for their citizens, and many have already implemented groundbreaking strategies – Berlin, Zurich, Amsterdam, Barcelona and Paris come to mind, but the market for Mobility-as-a-Service is growing in Latin America and Asia as well. 

This vitally important shift to sustainable mobility – one based on concrete data rather than shiny new technology – simply can’t be achieved without the help of multiple mobility actors and particularly without the collaboration of the private and public mobility sectors. Governments, corporations, innovators and architects, and to a lesser degree consumers all have an important role to play. If we unite under the banner of protecting our planet, our cities and the people living in them, sustainable travel habits and a new way of thinking about mobility will become the norm.

Learn about how the Trafi MaaS Suite is enabling global sustainable solutions here or contact us for more info.

Trafi introducing real-time disruption alerts

Navigating cities has become an extremely complicated task. MaaS promises to guide travelers effortlessly through the so-called jungle of the urban mobility network. One of the severe challenges that stands in the way of living up to this promise is disruptions, which happen on a daily basis, especially in larger cities. The majority of urban dwellers can relate to being extremely frustrated by being late to work because of a disrupted line. In these situations, what travelers need the most are guidance and reassurance.

At Trafi, we took this challenge very seriously — to provide top-notch real-time disruption updates, to allow travelers to plan their door-to-door trips effortlessly even when disruptions occur. Firstly, we analyzed the currently available disruption services on the market and identified multiple problems, and then attempted to tackle them.

What we found out

• Disruptions are not granular enough. This leads to false alarms, e.g. a traveler is notified that the line they were planning to take is disrupted, even when that only concerns one direction of that line.
• Disruption information is incomplete. There are several sources of information and not all get taken into account.
• Informing users only on planned disruptions, while a fair percentage of disruptions happen spontaneously.

Based on these observations, we designed a solution to tackle these problems heads on.

Overview of Trafi MaaS Suite disruptions

• Short messages explaining the cause and severity of disruptions. No need to read long paragraphs to understand what happened and how it affects your trip.
• Disruption alerts are shown in two places of our white label mobility app — on the nearby and route search screens. ‘Nearby’ is the first screen that users see when opening the app. Thus, travelers can instantly indicate if there are any disruptions happening around them and, if yes, adjust their traveling plans. If travelers search for a specific route, they are able to see if there is any kind of disruption for that desired route within the route search screen.

Types of alerts sent to travelers:

• Informational alerts — simple information updates for travelers that do not affect departure or arrival times. e.g. informational alerts can inform that tram service was exchanged with the bus service for the upcoming 2 weeks since tram tracks being fixed.
• Warning alerts — indicate that the scheduled route time is affected, meaning that the line is still running the service, but departure or arrival time can be off the original schedule.
• Cancelation alerts — inform when the line service is canceled completely.

The most granular disturbances on a direction and stop level for planned and unplanned disruptions.

Planned disruption information comes from the official Public Transport Authority (PTA) sources that we receive through API. Trafi’s system sends automatic updates every 5 minutes, checking for the newest information from the PTA source. E.g. canceled bus line, change of route length, etc. Our system indicates not only that there is a disruption per route level, but also indicated it for a particular disrupted direction (track) for each schedule, meaning that users who are traveling in another direction on the same affected route are not bothered or misled by redundant information.

Unplanned disruption updates are derived from real-time mobility situations. Let’s say that there is a major congestion due to a huge storm. As a result, four busses are stuck and have not been able to move for the past 35 minutes. Thanks to real-time vehicle tracking, Trafi will spot this and immediately send a disruption alert.

We integrate all available sources

For example, Berliners are warned about all service disruptions in one place -the BVG Jelbi app-, including U-Bahn, BVG buses, BVG trams, and S-Bahn disruptions, which cover 95% of the total annual public transport passenger traffic. And soon we will reach 100 % of trip coverage.

Trafi prepared a toolset for cities to publish disruptions manually to cover all possible cases.

Official sources do not always provide all the disruption information and sometimes it requires adding them manually. The lockdown situation during COVID-19 proved that changes for public transport were made quicker than updates were available in official sources. E.g. information such as front bus doors won’t be used to enter a bus anymore, or that it is required to wear a mask if a passenger wants to enter the vehicle were not part of official disruptions but yet highly important for people to know.

Our proprietary tool allows MaaS operators to manually post disruption information: not only by writing a message but also marking what lines, schedules, directions, or stops were affected and how.

The disruption function is now live in the BVG Jelbi app powered by Trafi. The ability to provide the most accurate and granular public transport disruption information sets Trafi apart. But we do not stop here, we strive for the best support of the travelers, thus next we are working on:

– Informing users on the way. E.g. if a traveler is on the way and disruption happens that affects their journey, they will be informed.

– Supporting replanning of the trip to navigate around disruptions. In addition to suggesting another public transport route, we plan to help people discover other modes, and intermodal routes to reach their destination on time.

Algimantas
Krasauskas

algis@trafi.com

Trafi partners with emmy, MILES, TIER, and Voi to drive the switch to shared transportation

• To make it even more convenient for cities to launch Mobility as a Service solutions, Trafi has closed strategic partnerships with leading shared mobility companies.
• emmy, MILES, TIER and Voi intend to be deeply integrated in Mobility as a Service solutions Trafi will launch in cities they operate in.
• Cities running on Trafi’s whitelabel solution are now promised an even faster and more seamless onboarding of private providers, thus bringing value to residents as fast as possible.
• Users will be able to plan, book, but also pay for all services provided by emmy, MILES, TIER, and VOI in future city-led mobility apps, eliminating friction in how people travel around.

BERLIN — emmy, MILES, TIER, and Voi are now officially joining forces with Trafi to connect traditional and new types of mobility and drive the switch from private to shared transportation modes.

To fulfill most cities’ need to provide alternatives to individual cars, all citizens need to have access to other convenient and flexible ways to get around. By committing to integrate their services in future mobility solutions powered by Trafi, the four private providers demonstrate their willingness to complement public transport seamlessly and make the transition to shared mobility smoother for both cities and residents.

Users will be able to plan, book, but also pay for all their trips with public and private transportation providers directly in one app, thus allowing them to use all services in one environment with a single master account, and removing obstacles in how people travel around the city.

Cities working with Trafi now benefit from an even faster and more seamless integration of private providers, thus bringing value to residents as fast as possible. Having launched the largest MaaS solution in the world in Berlin, Trafi can boast a highly recognized technology stack and extensive experience working with both municipalities and private providers.

“In recent years, Trafi has proven its ability to work hand in hand with cities and Mobility Service Providers alike to connect all types of mobility under one roof,” says Christof Schminke, Managing Director Commercial at Trafi. “We are now very proud that emmy, MILES, TIER and VOI have decided to partner with us as we build bridges between the people, the public transportation networks, and new mobility modes to achieve our mission of providing alternatives to the private car.”

“At Voi we strongly believe that changing traffic for good can only be achieved if public and private partners join forces”, says Claus Unterkircher, General Manager for the DACH-Region at Voi Technology. “This is why we are especially excited to announce our cooperation with Trafi. There is no doubt that the future of mobility lies in multimodal and app-coordinated solutions — with Trafi we have now teamed up with one of the leading developers in the field.”

Algimantas
Krasauskas

algis@trafi.com

MVG and Trafi to launch Mobility as a Service solution in Munich

• Today, MVG, the main public transport company in Munich, announced the upcoming launch of a Mobility-as-a-Service solution in Q1 2021.
• Using the multimodal application, users in Munich will be able to access a wide range of mobility modes in one place.
• The MaaS solution is a white label product powered by Trafi’s technology and branded by the MVG.
• The app will be released in the course of the year and will be available on both iOS and Android.
• Private mobility service providers are now invited to join the MaaS solution in a call for action.

MUNICH — Münchner Verkehrsgesellschaft (MVG), the main public transport company in Munich, has chosen Trafi, the technology platform, to release a city-owned Mobility as a Service solution. The application will be available to users in the course of the year and will include the full public transportation network as well as private providers, thus connecting traditional and new mobility.

After initiating the expansion and the modernization of its public transportation fleets, the MVG has been equally proactive in launching its own bike-sharing and ride pooling services. The Münchner Verkehrsgesellschaft is also behind the M-Login, which allows all Munich inhabitants and visitors alike to use various digital services around the Bavarian capital with one account only. As a next logical step, the MVG is now launching its own Mobility-as-a-Service solution.

With only one app to download for their various mobility needs, the inhabitants of Munich will be able to conveniently book their preferred modes — and discover new ways to get around their beloved city, driving the switch from private to shared mobility.
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In addition to the traditional public transit offer, all mobility providers of the city can be integrated. The potential future partners were formally invited to an information session organized by the MVG to learn all about the plan to launch MaaS in the city. Participants included Bird, BOND Mobility, Circ, CleverShuttle, Dott, emmy, IsarFunk, Taxi Zentrale, mtz (münchner taxi zentrum), SHARE NOW, Sixt, STATTAUTO München, Taxi München eG, TIER Mobility, and VOI.
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“We network the various providers under one roof in order to sensibly supplement public transport as the backbone of mobility, and to make sharing vehicles of all sizes even better and easier,” says Mayor Dieter Reiter.
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“Sharing is part of our DNA as a public transport operator. The MVG’s current goal is to also cover the first and last mile by cooperating with new partners and offers. Our customers want to reach their destination from and to their front door, and not just from stop to stop,” says Ingo Wortmann, Chairman of the Management Board at MVG. 
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“We want to create more mobility in Munich, but also less car traffic,” adds Sinaida Cordes, Head of Innovation Projects at MVG. “We are delighted to play a pioneering role in driving this change.”

“This new partnership between Trafi and MVG is an encouraging signal that an increasing number of cities want to connect their whole mobility networks to create a seamless experience for their users. After launching the largest MaaS solution in the world in Berlin, we are thrilled to join forces with Munich in our quest to create cities where moving is easy,” says Christof Schminke, Managing Director Commercial at Trafi.

Algimantas
Krasauskas

algis@trafi.com

Trafi welcomes two new Advisory Board members

VILNIUS – We are thrilled to announce the appointment of two new executive advisors to strengthen Trafi’s positioning and vision. Dr. Christoph Franz and Alexander Diehl are appointed Advisory Board members, and bring along decades of leadership experience in key areas such as mobility and entrepreneurship.

Dr. Christoph Franz is a highly esteemed authority in the world of mobility. After spending almost 30 years filling executive positions such as Chairman of Lufthansa Group or CEO of the passenger transport division at Deutsche Bahn, Christoph now serves as Chairman of Roche and advisor or board member for companies like Zurich Insurance Group, and Red Cross.

Alexander Diehl is a serial entrepreneur. After having founded a digital design agency and an architecture technology platform, he was also the initiator of BMW i Ventures. Alexander currently serves as Senior Advisor to the Max-Planck-Institute and as partner at Joschka Fischer & Company, a sustainable development and foreign policy consultancy.

“We are delighted to welcome two new members to our advisory board. Christoph Franz can boast a very impressive track record in the mobility world, while Alexander Diehl will bring to Trafi a highly recognised entrepreneurial spirit. We will greatly value their guidance in our mission to help cities orchestrate their mobility networks”, said Martynas Gudonavičius, CEO and Co-Founder at Trafi.

“Mobility desperately needs new solutions to steer and connect modes of transport. I am proud to support Trafi to develop and implement these intelligent solutions,” said Christoph Franz.

“The next step in urban mobility is putting different modes together so that cities and citizens have one key to the full mobility spectrum. Trafi hands cities that key. Their user experience is transformational,” said Alexander Diehl.

Algimantas
Krasauskas

algis@trafi.com

Today Trafi launches the world’s largest MaaS in Berlin

We are proud to announce the official launch of Jelbi — the largest MaaS solution in the world. This is the result of a joint partnership between Trafi and Berlin’s public transport authority BVG. Jelbi offers a Mobility as a Service platform that deeply integrates all types of transportation in the city. Today, we announce the end of the beta phase and brand new additions to the Jelbi family.

As of today, Jelbi will cover all different types of transportation in Berlin, making it the largest Mobility as a Service (MaaS) in the world. It is the first mobility service to combine such a large amount of deeply integrated transportation providers. Initially, it will include twelve types of transport, representing each possible way of moving around the city — as well as walking. Using Jelbi, you will find buses, trams, trains, ferries, the metro, and shared mobility options such as bikes, e-kick scooters, e-scooters, shuttles, car-sharing, and taxis. All at the click of a button.

Fresh for the launch, ViaVan’s BerlKönig shuttles and Tier’s e-kick scooters will join the Jelbi family, with Taxi Berlin following in a few weeks. They complement the already existing partners in form of Emmy, Miles Mobility, Nextbike, Deutsche Bahn (S-Bahn) and the full public transportation network of BVG.

The connected integrated mobility network combined with real-time routing makes it easy to plan, pick and pay for your journey. You don’t even need to sign up with any additional providers. Instead, you are shown the complete set of prices and ETAs transparently, and you can keep all your tickets in one place.

“Together with BVG, we are happy to launch the largest MaaS solution in the world: Jelbi. Ensuring both depth and width, Trafi’s whitelabel solution combines a high number of integrated transport providers with a truly convenient customer-experience. Berlin is a great first step to showcase what technology can do for transportation, but we are not stopping there. Later this year, we are adding even more cities and countries to our portfolio. We provide software that helps urban areas to manage and improve holistic mobility networks — by themselves, for their citizens and in real-time”, said Martynas Gudonavičius, CEO & Co-Founder at Trafi.

Facts and figures

In this short section, we’ll take you through some first insights into how Jelbi has been used during the first three months of being live.

• It is MasSive: Jelbi already has around 13.000 vehicles across the city available for users — from private providers to the public transport network. This makes the platform the largest MaaS solution in the world, and mobility on-demand a current reality.
• People use it: The ambition with Jelbi is to make it Berlin’s one-stop-shop for mobility. After only three months, people using Jelbi are already averaging 2,3 rides per week, fueling our vision to make it your daily travel companion.
• People like it: Launching a new mobility service in strong competitive landscape, Jelbi is heavily focusing on the user experience — and it shows. People don’t only use Jelbi, they like it. 60% of all downloads convert into users registering.
• Most popular mode: During the summer months, bike-sharing has been the most popular micromobility option of all. Maybe it is a trend towards physical mobility, or it is showing just how bike-friendly the Berlin summer was.

Algimantas
Krasauskas

algis@trafi.com