There are new jobs and business opportunities in seamless mobility
Public transport might be the reason why a hub attracts people, it doesn't necessarily mean that this is the main driver behind the business model of a transport hub. Why should an airport be any different than a train or bus station in this respect ?
Sandra Anani - an airline and airport expert - flew in from Abu Dabi to seduce her audience from 'landbound' public transport to look more clearly to airports and airlines.
That was exactly what the organizers of the Roundtable the SYNAPTIC project, expected from her. Emrah Demir from the Eindhoven Technical University is a logistics and freight expert. He also told his audience that there may be much to learn for passenger transport from the logistics sector. Both have to consider the quickest and most efficient solution to transport people and parcels from A to B, and to provide a solid backup solution in case of a disruption.
Both experts showed that new approaches with new services, are necessary for a more seamless mobility. Technology is available and not the issue.
There is a need for paradigm shift away from a traditional approach towards a more customer focused approach, bearing in mind that these customers have changed and will keep changing. Goesta Weber told the audience that if transport operators do not provide for seamless intermodal travel experience, ensuring that no traveler is left behind, they will become redundant. The passenger wants a seamless trip, a reliable real time travel plan, with one ticket and one payment and security whenever there is a disruption
Dirk Tangemann CEO from Comoveo illustrated the opportunity for new businesses in contributing to seamless mobility solutions. The Comoveo app will go live in April this year and provide integrated information on several different modes of transport. It combines the information on bicycle rental, taxi, regional public transport, car rental via one app answering the expectation from the passenger of today. This is expected to steer passengers towards multimodal sustainable travel solutions.
Max Strotmann, cabinet member of EC Commissioner in charge of transport vice-President Kallas, enthusiastically commented the conclusions of the roundtable stressing the importance of new information services for travelers
Furthermore he praised the SYNAPTIC cluster for their S-MAP 2030 document, which he considered "comprehensive and appealing for Brussel's decision makers".
More information of SYNAPTIC's recommendations and the vision for seamless transport can be found on http://www.synaptic-cluster.eu/