Towards sustainable mobillity-as-a-service: a roadmap for San Luis Potosí, MX, using the MaaS Readiness Index

Abstract

Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) describes a concept that aims to integrate the fragmented tools and services a person needs to conduct a trip. The integration allows customers to access and combine the variety of services based on their individual needs. Given this fact, it represents a possible alternative to personally-owned modes of transportation. The present investigation focusses on the applicability of MaaS on the case city of San Luis Potosí in Mexico. It seeks to analyse whether the city is prepared for Mobility-as-a-Service. For this purpose, the modified MaaS Readiness Index (MRI) has been introduced as an assessment tool. Besides, a supplementary roadmap towards sustainable MaaS was developed. This study uses a mixed methods approach that applies for all stages of the investigation. A variety of tools, such as expert interviews, surveys, and a literature review came to use for the data acquisition. The assessment of the MaaS readiness grounds on preparatory qualitative and quantitative data analysis steps that were required for a subsequent scoring workshop. The roadmap creation on the other hand builds upon the outcomes of the MRI assessment and a qualitative content analysis. The findings indicate that San Luis Potosí has “some usefulness for MaaS, but below what would be desirable”. In particular, the regulatory environment was evaluated as highly unfavourable. The sustainable MaaS roadmap targets principally on the improvement of weak spots with a strong systemic effect.