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2018 Transit Trends from Around the Globe: Asia Pacific

Jan 08, 2018
Last updated: July 09, 2018
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Transit Trends

As 2017 drew to a close, the question on everyone’s mind is – what can we expect for 2018?

Lots of new technologies, disruptive trends, and landmark events have taken place over the course of the year. Is the New Year going to bring even more changes to the public transport industry or will it be a continuation of the same? We asked several experts in Asia Pacific what they thought.

Passengers’ New Expectations will Drive Innovation

“The traveling public will demand more seamless travel across all modes coupled with contactless ticketing systems using smartphones, while driverless trains will become the norm. Operators will need to integrate all modes of transport – trains, buses, trams, and even taxis.”

Tony Duboudin, Editor, Track + Signal Magazine

 

“Public transport users are becoming much more ‘demanding’ in 2017-2018, especially people under the age of 40 who are willing to pay more for more convenient services. Savvy Australian bus operators with the resources and will to do so are now using smartphone apps such as Bridj to complement their existing traditional route services by offering on-demand shuttle services using smaller buses. This approach is being used on a trial basis to fill gaps in the public transport network that would otherwise be filled by the likes of Uber in industrial estates with no bus, train, or tram services in Sydney. I think the big operators will increasingly look to offer more tailored services, albeit at a higher price than what you might pay for a regular bus fare.”

Randall Johnston, Former Managing Editor, Australasian Bus and Coach (ABC)

 

“It is the most exciting time to be in public transport. Urbanisation, population growth, and technological change are challenging the way we think about delivering public transport. As people move more into a demand responsive world, we can capture consumer expectations and understand real demand in our cities. We are now faced with the task of reacting quickly to this demand and I expect the industry will be heavily embracing demand responsive technologies in 2018 to maintain their relevance in an environment of escalating consumer expectation.”

Clint Feuerherdt, Chief Executive Officer, Transit Systems

Technology Will Be at the Forefront – Thanks to Crowd-Sourced Feedback

“Stakeholders in Australia and New Zealand are increasingly putting technology front and center, as a driver of future public transport innovation. The New South Wales Government, for example, just released a 30-year plan with a specific focus on the role new technologies will play in improving the safety, capacity, and efficiency of the state’s fast-growing transport network. In 2018, we will continue to see improved awareness – from governments, operators, and passengers – that crowd-sourced feedback from social platforms, Internet of Things (IoT) thinking, and computer-driven big data analysis can be real drivers of change in our day-to-day lives.”

Oliver Probert, Editor, Rail Express Magazine

You’ll See a New Digital Delivery of Information

“There is a move towards data sharing across all modes. This digital delivery will be advanced with more traditional information delivery systems starved of funds in all but the most forward-thinking of agencies.”

David Panter, Key Account Manager, Trapeze Group 

Mobility on Demand will be More Seamless

“Automated and on-demand mobility. The rise of automated vehicles, coupled with innovations in demand responsive transport, is both a threat to and an opportunity for traditional public transport services. This is particularly so in relation to the provision of public transport in low-density urban environments or areas not traditionally served by regular route services. It is important for the public transport sector to understand and anticipate this change and be part of the evolution towards automated and on-demand mobility. It is also important for transport authorities to consider appropriate policy responses to facilitate and (where necessary) regulate this evolutionary process.”

Rob Pearce, Acting Executive Director, UITP Australia New Zealand

 

“There is a need for first/last mile transport in Australia but the best delivery mechanism is unknown. Various trials run through the year will help clarify this; although, it is possible the real breakthrough will only come once autonomous vehicles can deliver this at a much lower cost.”

David Panter, Key Account Manager, Trapeze Group 

 

 “Mobility as a service (MaaS) will be the major industry trend for 2018. As the next big disruption to transportation, it puts passengers’ experience first, with its promise of greater convenience and effectiveness by enabling sharing and personalization through smartphone and IoT connectivity. MaaS shifts us to a more customer-centric mobility paradigm by providing a solution to the age-old dilemma of how best to get each commuter to his or her destination, taking into account what is happening in real time throughout the network, all the possible transport options (public, shared, or otherwise) and what he or she prefers, and then facilitating seamless mobile payment.”

Scott Winks, General Manager of Government Solutions ANZ, Trapeze Group

Where to Go from Here

Do you have any transit trends that you see coming our way in 2018? Tell us about it on LinkedIn.

 

Disclaimer: Please note that the quotes in this blog post only reflect the contributor’s views and opinions. Quotes do not necessarily reflect the blog author’s nor Trapeze’s views and opinions. 


 
Scott Winks is an experienced ICT business leader, having spent 25 years delivering technology solutions for government and enterprise customers. Having worked in multiple roles across Asia-Pacific, North America, and Europe, Scott has a thorough understanding of the challenges presented by diverse business dynamics and how disruptive technology impacts them. He is the Australia/New Zealand General Manager of Government Solutions for Trapeze Group.
 
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