Connected Mobility is Now, Not Later; Are You Ready?

So many transit modes; yet so little time. As change becomes the new constant, here’s what the new connected mobility will look like: ride and bike sharing will merge into one service. So how can you deal with the practical challenges of connecting different modes of transit? Let’s examine how some agencies are meeting the opportunity.

Experience is elusive

While connected mobility is pretty well understood among transit agencies today, the mechanics of creating business and operational synergies with third-party ride sharing and bike sharing companies is still being tinkered with. As a result, there also aren’t a lot of models out there to base organizational structures, pay scale, or even position descriptions upon. Another issue is that, for some agencies, the required knowledge to run these kinds of programs may not exist. This has some looking outside the transit sector for creative ideas and experienced people.

For example, Atlanta’s first ever “Chief Bicycle Officer” comes from the parks and rec world and has a background in construction. The CBO’s duties will include public outreach, oversight of the city's bike share program, and coordination with the state to ensure bicycle facilities are contemplated in broader capital projects. The role is funded for $250,000 over five years, via a grant that traces its way back to Arthur Blank, who is the owner of the Atlanta Falcons.

Planning is paramount

Bike and ride sharing requires no less planning than “normal” public transit. Facilities still need to be built. Assets must be acquired, tracked, and maintained. Pick up, drop off, and transfer points need to serve passenger needs. Complex business negotiations must be had with the Ubers and Citi Bikes of the world. You can also rely on the standard scrutiny of interested and eager local politicians, business people, and media. While bringing in new blood to provide sharing expertise is important, so is maintaining a “transit-like” way of doing things (read as: knows how to get things done).

To make things happen in Boston, the Mayor has appointed a long-time political insider and former leader of the city’s civic innovation team as Chief of Streets - a senior, municipally funded-role. The COS’s responsibilities read like that of a senior executive with a broad profile: oversight of the Public Works and Transportation departments, liaison to the Boston Water & Sewer Commission, and implementation of Go Boston 2030 -- Boston’s long term mobility plan. That is a lot of political weight and a clear sign Boston is serious about connected mobility.

Practical Steps in 3, 2, 1…

But what do your passengers really care about? According to TransitCenter, it’s all about reliability and frequency. Connected mobility can take care of that when leveraging the huge amount of data that it’s taking in. You’ll be better able to link the first and last mile of a passenger’s journey and providing them with the appropriate mode of transit that suits them for that specific point in time.

Greg Lindsay’s recent piece about connected mobility highlighted various steps that your agency can take depending on whether you are considering short-term, middle-term, or long-term strategies. One particular point that stood out was that even though we should be implementing the latest in transit technology, we should also keep in mind of marginalized groups that frequent public transit. They usually don’t have the resources that can help them in a completely connected transit system. Given that, it’s crucial to keep details such as these in mind while leveraging your experience and plan accordingly.

Final notes

The roadmap for agencies to connect the first and last mile through bike sharing, ride sharing, and other means is still being developed.

In addition to the broader business and technical complexities (cost and revenue sharing, data/BI ownership and security, etc.), it’s important not to lose sight of the more practical challenges of introducing connected mobility to your passengers.

The right people, capable of crafting and executing a detailed connected mobility plan in concert with a morphing ecosystem of partner and stakeholders, are still the most critical piece of the puzzle for your agency to succeed. So now how will your agency piece all the puzzles together to frame the perfect picture?