What is Mobility-as-a-Service and why MaaS matters for your mobility business?
May 17, 2024
min. read
What is Mobility-as-a-Service and why MaaS matters for your mobility business?
MaaS is short for Mobility-as-a-Servive, and simply put, it combines various mobility options into a single unified mobility app for a city or region.
Today, we have more options for getting from point A to point B than ever before. Vehicle-sharing, ride-hailing, and all sorts of rental services for all types of transports have grown deeply ingrained in our day-to-day lives, fundamentally changing how we choose to move and commute through cities.
But, as we all know, quantity doesn't necessarily equal quality. Just because there are many more options for transportation, doesn't mean that they're the most effective for getting where you want to go:
- Crossing an entire city on a scooter will quickly become costly and exhausting.
- Renting a car may still have you stuck in traffic.
- Commuting with a rental moped may be less environmentally friendly than potential alternatives, e.g. public transportation.
- Managing half-a-dozen applications to find the best deals also gets tiresome.
That's where MaaS comes in.
In what follows, we'll take a closer look at what is Mobility-as-a-Service, explore some examples of MaaS implementations, and how MaaS may impact your own mobility business.
Mobility-as-a-Service definition
MaaS solutions integrate various forms of transport services into a single multimodal mobility service accessible on demand. These different transport forms include public transport, as well as ride, car-sharing, and bike-sharing, and others.
Multimodal simply means that users can combine various types of mobility when planning their journeys, e.g. taking a bus for the first leg of the trip and then hopping on a scooter for the last mile.
MaaS has been the talk of the mobility industry for years now and the Mobility-as-a-Service market size is projected to grow explosively over the coming years, especially in the Asia Pacific region.
What are the benefits of Mobility-as-a-Service?
Multimodality is one of the main ones for end-users. Others include a single payment system and general ease-of-use made possible by having multiple mobility services under one roof.
Typically, there are different payment plans available – a monthly subscription model with a fixed monthly fee or “pay-as-you-go” model, where each booked trip is priced separately.
But MaaS is not JUST a mobility service aggregator for city dwellers.
The primary client of a MaaS solution is the municipality. A MaaS solution is first and foremost intended as a way for a city to modernize and gain control over its mobility networks and data.
MaaS lets the local government offer a convenient mobility solution, while equipping the city with insight on transit data, movement flows, and mobility preferences. It also empowers the city to nudge desirable traveler behavior, i.e. promote certain modes of mobility.
For example, the city might subsidize discounts for an integrated bike rental solution during the summer to encourage people to choose cycling over other types of transportation.
MaaS brings together both public and private players – MaaS platform developers, mobility service providers, public transport authorities, and others – and project ownership typically lies with a public institution, hence it may be inaccurate to speak of a general Mobility-as-a-Service business model.
While individual mobility providers may profit from integration as it allows them to reach a broader audience, the MaaS project as a whole will usually operate at a loss. After all, at its core lies public transportation and its core purpose is to improve quality of urban life, not make profit.
Still, MaaS comes in all shapes and sizes, so what are the models of Mobility-as-a-Service? Let's explore this through some examples.
Mobility-as-a-Service examples
One textbook example of a MaaS solution is Berlin's Jelbi. Created by Trafi and Berlin's public transport authority BVG, it brings together every kind of public and shared mobility – ready to be booked in a moment’s notice right from the app.
With Jelbi, Berliners can easily plan multimodal journeys, buy public transport tickets, and pay for services with all the most popular payment methods. With public transport as the backbone, Berlin has built mobility hubs – physical stations across the city, where people can switch from public transport to shared mobility – to facilitate convenient multimodal transport and encourage people to leave their cars at home.
Trafi was also behind yumuv in Switzerland, which was one of the first that trialed a regional MaaS solution with subscriptions connecting the three cities of Zurich, Bern, and Basel. Though it was only a research project, its ambitious scope spells the potential future of MaaS – a country-wide mobility solution accessible from a single app.
In fact, such a solution has already seen the light of day – glimble. Created by another major player in the MaaS development scene, Moovit, glimble enables easy travel within the Netherlands, offering most of the same benefits as Jelbi, but on a national scale.
A MaaS solution done differently
Technically, if we look at MaaS as a unified multimodal mobility app, then Google Maps also qualifies as a MaaS solution, though it stands out for its global scope and not being tied to any particular city.
Google has proactively partnered with micro mobility partners in various regions, has integrated public transport timetables, and done more to offer a convenient route planning solution. However, the lack of payment integrations and minimal adaptation to local markets makes Google Maps more of a map application with some MaaS capabilities, rather than a full fledged MaaS solution. By the way, are you aware that ATOM Mobility customers can easily showcase their vehicles on Google Maps for free?
Why does MaaS matter to your shared mobility business?
If you're a micro mobility service provider and your city is mulling over launching a MaaS solution, it may be wise to get your foot in the door. Having your service integrated within the city mobility app confers various benefits.
For one, it enables you to reach more people. Being on the city's MaaS app will expose your service to commuters that might otherwise elect to choose other modes of transportation. It also helps overcome a critical adoption barrier – people will be able to conveniently use and pay for your solution, without having to download and sign-up on your individual app.
Secondly and continuing the previous point, it's potentially free advertising. Cities are invested in maximizing their MaaS solution's adoption and spend significant resources in popularizing it. As a result, partnering service providers can piggyback on the marketing efforts of the public transport authority.
Thirdly, it embeds your business with an additional layer of legitimacy. Namely, your solution being chosen by the city gives it an air of “official”ness, especially if your competitors aren't on it. Once again, this may help attract more users.
MaaS – an evolution in urban mobility
MaaS lets cities and their citizens take control over a rapidly evolving mobility landscape. With so many different types of transportation and dozens of companies competing over customers, it can all get a bit hectic.
At the end of the day, finding the best way – be it quickest, cheapest, or environmentally friendliest – is in the interests of both cities and travelers and that's exactly what MaaS tries to offer.
Whether MaaS will become a standard across cities is yet to be seen, as MaaS companies, much like other large-scale mobility businesses, continue to struggle to reach profitability with Finnish startup MaaS Global recently filing for bankruptcy. Still, the technology behind it was snatched up soonafter by Dutch MaaS company umob, signalling faith in the MaaS project at large.
So, if you're a mobility service provider, MaaS is something that you shouldn't ignore.
Interested in launching your own mobility platform?
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Blog
How to retain drivers on your ride-hailing platform long term
🚗💬 Why do ride-hail drivers quit – and what makes them stay? We break down insights from the 2025 Gig Driver Report and show how ATOM Mobility helps platforms keep drivers happy with instant payouts, dynamic pricing, and smarter tools.
September 23, 2025
min. read
How to retain drivers on your ride-hailing platform long term
In the ride-hailing business, getting enough drivers online is critical. But keeping them there is what really drives long-term success. Unlike traditional taxi services, ride-hailing drivers are independent contractors. They don’t have fixed shifts, guaranteed income, or long-term contracts. They log on when it suits them, and just as quickly, they can log off – or switch to another app.
That flexibility means you're not only competing for riders. You're also competing for drivers, every single day.
What makes ride-hailing different for drivers
Compared to traditional taxis, the ride-hailing model offers drivers more independence but less security. Taxi drivers usually worked under a dispatcher, used company-owned vehicles, and followed a set schedule. Ride-hailing drivers use their own car, their own time, and often multiple apps.
The benefits are clear: flexibility, lower entry barriers, and instant access to earnings. But the downsides are just as real: unpredictable income, lack of support, and platform instability. For platforms, that means driver loyalty is fragile. Small changes – like delayed payments or fewer rides – can cause drivers to leave.
Why driver retention matters
Most ride-hailing operators focus heavily on passenger growth. But without enough reliable drivers, demand turns into frustration. When wait times grow or no vehicles are available, users abandon the app. This makes driver retention a key metric – not just for operations but also for brand trust and profitability.
It’s more expensive to onboard a new driver than to keep an experienced one. A stable driver base delivers smoother rides, higher ratings, and better service coverage. If your drivers are churning every few weeks, your entire operation becomes reactive.
Inside the 2025 Gig Driver Report
A recent survey by Everee sheds light on what drivers want - and what makes them quit. In May 2025, 419 gig drivers in the U.S. were surveyed. Most of them worked across multiple apps, including Uber, Lyft and Shipt. The full findings are available in the 2025 Gig Driver Report by Everee.
Key findings:
- 68% of drivers work with two or more gig apps every month. Only 32% stick to one.
- 84% say fast access to earnings is important or very important when deciding where to work.
- 70% of drivers want their money within 24 hours.
- 44% would consider quitting if instant payouts became slower or more expensive.
- 21% would leave if onboarding took too long.
These numbers show how sensitive drivers are to delays, unclear policies, and inefficiencies. A small friction point in your system could be enough to push them to a competitor.
Why drivers leave
The survey also highlighted the most common reasons drivers stop working with a platform:
- 59% left after a sudden drop in pay rates or bonuses
- 48% due to fewer available jobs
- 44% when fees or restrictions were added to instant payouts
- 41% because of safety concerns during pickups or drop-offs
- 39% due to rigid scheduling or lack of flexibility
In short, if drivers feel their earnings or control are at risk, they move on. The ride-hailing industry is too competitive for platforms to assume drivers will stay loyal without constant support and improvement.
What platforms can do to retain drivers
To retain drivers long term, platforms need to act on what drivers value most. According to the same report, the top three areas that would increase loyalty are:
- Guaranteed minimum earnings or predictable income
- Better access to instant payouts
- A smoother, faster onboarding process
Additionally, drivers want to feel that their time is respected, their safety is prioritized, and that they are not left guessing about payments or platform changes.
How ATOM Mobility helps you build driver loyalty
With ATOM Mobility’s platform, ride-hailing operators have access to several features designed specifically with drivers in mind.
The “Offer Your Price” feature allows riders to bid slightly more during high demand or bad traffic conditions, giving drivers the chance to earn extra when it matters most.
Dynamic pricing lets operators automatically raise fares during weekends, holidays, or peak hours so that drivers earn more when demand spikes.
One of the most impactful tools is the instant revenue split system, where a driver’s commission is transferred directly to their Stripe Connect account after every successful ride. This eliminates waiting times and builds trust through real-time, transparent payouts.
To make things even smoother, ATOM Mobility offers a dedicated driver app where drivers can track performance, see earnings, and review ride history.
All of this adds up to a professional, transparent experience for drivers - and a stronger incentive to stay on your platform long term.
A dedicated driver app helps drivers track performance, earnings, and ride history. This kind of visibility increases engagement and reduces confusion. Instead of contacting support for payment questions, drivers can see everything directly in the app. The experience feels more professional and structured – which increases the chance they’ll stay longer.
You can explore the dedicated driver app in more detail on driver app overview.
Faster onboarding leads to faster activation
Another key piece of retention is how quickly drivers can get started. Platforms that make onboarding long or confusing lose drivers before the first ride. ATOM Mobility supports streamlined onboarding flows with pre-filled fields, automatic document validation, and built-in guides. In some cases, drivers can be onboarded, verified, and ready to drive within hours – not days.
A better experience creates loyalty
Drivers are not just users of your app – they are ambassadors of your brand. Every interaction they have, from the first sign-up to the latest payout, shapes how they feel about your platform. If it’s smooth, fair, and rewarding, they’re likely to stay. If not, they’ll be gone before the next weekend rush.
By investing in the right tools and understanding what really matters to drivers, platforms can reduce churn, increase satisfaction, and build a loyal driver base. And in a market where supply is everything, that loyalty pays off.
If you're building a ride-hailing operation and want to give your drivers a reason to stay, ATOM Mobility gives you the technology to make it happen. From instant payments to dynamic pricing and a dedicated driver app, everything is designed to keep your fleet active and engaged – for the long haul.
Blog
ATOM Connect 2025: Where Europe’s shared mobility leaders meet
👉 ATOM Connect 2025 is an exclusive shared mobility networking event hosted by ATOM Mobility in collaboration with INVERS. This focused gathering will bring together industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers from Europe's car-sharing and car-rental sectors to explore the future of shared mobility.
September 16, 2025
min. read
What happens when professionals from Europe’s car sharing and car rental industries gather under one roof? You get a day filled with fresh ideas, insightful discussions, and valuable connections that help shape the future of mobility. That’s what awaits at ATOM Connect 2025 - a dedicated industry event hosted by ATOM Mobility in partnership with INVERS.
This year’s gathering takes place on October 30, 2025, in Riga, Latvia, at the panoramic top floor of the AC Hotel by Marriott. With views stretching across Riga’s historic Art Nouveau district, the setting offers an inspiring backdrop for meaningful conversations about the next steps in shared mobility.
Date & Time: October 30, 2025, from 15:00 onwards
Location: AC Hotel by Marriott, Riga (top floor with panoramic views)
Hosts: ATOM Mobility & INVERS
Format: Expert talks, interactive Q&A, networking sessions, and evening drinks
Topics covered:
- Market insights from INVERS
- Scaling car sharing businesses
- Digital transformation in rentals
- Corporate mobility opportunities
- Eastern Europe’s shared mobility landscape
Why Attend ATOM Connect 2025?
Learn from industry experts
The agenda is designed to address today’s most relevant mobility challenges. Expect data-driven insights from INVERS, practical strategies for scaling car sharing operations, discussions on digital rental solutions and corporate mobility, plus a closer look at the unique opportunities and challenges in Eastern Europe.
The event will also be joined by BYD, one of the world’s fastest-growing electric vehicle makers, who will showcase their innovative, affordable EVs at our event.
Build valuable connections
ATOM Connect 2025 is a focused gathering that brings together operators, rental businesses, and mobility experts from across Europe. With a mix of talks, networking breaks, and an evening reception, the event offers the perfect setting to exchange experiences, discuss challenges, and explore future partnerships.
Join the Conversation
If you’re active in car sharing or rental industry and want to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market, ATOM Connect 2025 is a must-attend event. Together with INVERS, we’re creating a space where the European shared mobility community can connect, learn, and look toward the future.
👉 Save the date and request your spot today*: https://www.atommobility.com/atom-connect-2025
*Please note: ATOM Connect 2025 is intended for shared car mobility and car rental industry professionals. Registration requests will be reviewed before confirmation.
Driver App demo credentials - Email: test@atom.com, Password: driver
