User feedback assessment of region-focused mobility-as-a-service bundles

Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) is viewed as a prospective approach to encourage sustainable mobility. To ensure the effectiveness of MaaS subscription plans, continuous feedback and communication with users are crucial. The objective of this study is to develop a methodology for designing region-focused MaaS bundles and assess their viability through end-user's feedback and its potential for increasing users’ uptake of more sustainable travel. To explore user willingness to adopt the suggested MaaS bundles and estimate net changes in carbon dioxide (CO₂) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, stated preference surveys (SPS) were conducted in the Portuguese cities of Aveiro and Coimbra. Results suggest a preference for bundles offering unlimited travel on public transport and, due to the efficient public transport network in Coimbra, the willingness to use such bundles was higher than for Aveiro. In an optimistic scenario, average emission savings of 35 % for CO₂ and 30 % for NOx emissions, specifically for the most frequent trips, were found. In a realistic scenario with values adjusted to revealed preferences, these reductions drop to 5 % for CO₂ and 4 % for NOx. Overall, our research highlights the complexities associated with behavioural changes and underscores the importance of policies that consider the intricacies of human behaviour. Furthermore, the findings regarding the introduction of MaaS bundles emphasize the pivotal role of a robust PT system in driving changes in travel behaviour among the population, contributing to mitigating the negative effects of unsustainable, carbon-dependent travel choices.