Mobility as a Service: an opportunity to address women's mobility needs towards gender equity

Abstract

Women's mobility choices are often influenced by concerns related to security and accessibility, which can limit their ability to fully participate in social and economic activities. While these challenges are particularly pronounced in developing countries, similar issues are observed in Europe, where women frequently report negative experiences as users of transport systems. This study investigates whether Mobility as a Service (MaaS) can address these gender-specific concerns by providing safer, more flexible and inclusive transport options. A survey was conducted with Italian respondents to identify women's mobility needs, with a particular focus on security. Basic statistical analysis of the survey results reveals that both women and men acknowledge the security challenges women face while travelling and rate security features to be included in a MaaS application for improving their experiences. Based on the survey results, the study proposes a set of key features for a "MaaS4Women" application that could help reduce perceived risks and enhance security. The findings suggest that customizing MaaS features and bundles to meet women's specific needs could be an important step towards improving gender equity in transport.