The future of mobility: which way forward for Mobility as a Service in Brussels?

Details

Supervisors

Swaen, Valérie

Faculty

Louvain School of Management

Degree label

Master [120] en sciences de gestion, à finalité spécialisée

Abstract

Humans have always been a mobile species. The need to move is ingrained in our genes and for years the human race has found new and innovative ways to get around. In the 21st century, with new technologies, increasingly populated cities and changing mobility needs, mobility must be smoothed, optimised and shared. The literature shows the current state of mobility and the challenges it faces today. One proposed solution that seems to meet the requirements of decongestion and sustainable mobility is Mobility as a Service (MaaS). This thesis attempts to take stock of the evolution of Mobility as a Service in Brussels in the context of the future of mobility, where environmental awareness, congestion and technological development are both triggers and catalysts. The research was conducted on the practical case of the MoveBrussels MaaS project, which is part of the Good Move plan, the mobility plan defined in 2020 by the Brussels-Capital Region, giving guidelines for the future of mobility in the region. The particularity of this project is its innovative structure, with a system that offers harmony between private sector ambitions and public requirements. The primary data collection on the MoveBrussels project was done through a qualitative study based on 3 stakeholder groups (Mobility Operators, MaaS providers and mobility experts) through 10 interviews with MaaS actors in Brussels. The results of a SWOT analysis of the data show that the choice of an open public model is relevant but remains to be proven sustainable. This thesis shows that for the MoveBrussels project to be effective, it will have to take up the basics of MaaS and overcome the challenges identified in the research. To address the identified obstacles, 6 recommendations are proposed to ensure the success of the project. User-centricity, a common and global vision of mobility, synergy between private and public sectors, a liberal system, an elaborate integration and a robust foundation are the key to the sustainability of Mobility as a Service.