Modelling MaaS Plans and Commitment Length: Experience from Two European Cities

Mobility –as –a Service (MaaS) is a novel concept in transportation, which is received with enthusiasm and its rising popularity is met by a growing number of studies. Exploring potential user and early adopters’ preferences is an imperative step towards the formulation of realistic, sensibly priced MaaS plans. This paper explores user preferences of MaaS plans, focusing on the duration of the plan (user commitment); adjusting pricing for duration. This type of research provides insight into the decision-making process, especially the trade-off between longer commitment and unit prices of included travel modes in the plans. To perform the described research, data from over 500 individuals from Budapest, Hungary and Manchester, UK was utilized. Collected data includes socio-demographic characteristics, attitudinal data, habitual travel patterns and stated preferences towards various MaaS plans with different commitment duration. Model estimation results indicate a general preference for MaaS packages instead of pay as you go. Additionally, the paper explores user heterogeneity and identifies different segments of the sample which have different reactions to a longer commitment. Results indicate certain willingness-to-accept values for longer commitments which may drive stakeholders (for example a MaaS operator) decisions on pricing packages of longer duration.