NSW to trial mobility-as-a-service

Transport for NSW has selected five technology companies including Uber to participate in a trial involving the delivery of mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) solutions for the state.

The five companies have won the Transport for NSW MaaS Innovation Challenge and have been selected to progress past the pitch stage to the test and learn phase.

As well as ride-sharing company Uber, the finalists comprise Sydney-based data specialists Lynxx, Helsinki-based developer Maas Global, local start-up Swiftfare Sweet and Sydney-based start-up and developer of the TripGo app SkedGo.

The MaaS challenge was a competition to pitch innovative ideas aimed at transforming the door-to-door travel experience for commuters in NSW, and to address challenges including a growing population and constrained capacity.

As part of the trials, Lynxx will be testing Tranzer, an app which allows for travellers to plan, book and pay for all transport options in one place, while Maas Global will similarly explore bringing its Whim all-in-one transport app to the state.

Uber will meanwhile be trialling rideshare service offerings that link with the state's existing transport network, while Swiftfare Fleet and SkedGo were selected for their public transport app-based business models.

Transport for NSW has also introduced the ability for commuters to pay for fares using their credit card or mobile wallet across the entire Sydney Trains network.

Commuters will now be able to pay using contactless payment technology at train stations' Opal card readers, as well as the NSW Trainlink interstate services that support the Opal card.

The department conducted a successful trial of the contactless payment capability on light rail and ferries in the lead-up to its deployment across the far more frequently utilised train network. The trial is ongoing, and the capability is expected to be expanded to the bus network in mid-2019.

In addition, the department is considering including EFTPOS payment options as part of the trial.

Image courtesy Transport for NSW.

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