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.
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Micromobility fleet vehicles: Types, features & best use cases
🚲 🛴 E-scooters or e-bikes? Docked or dockless? Every vehicle choice shapes the success of your micromobility business. In this new article, we break down the key micromobility fleet vehicles – their features, best use cases, and how to match them to your city profile. Plus, how ATOM Mobility helps operators manage both scooter and bike fleets in one platform.
July 21, 2026
min. read
Operators entering the micromobility space today face one major early decision: which vehicles to deploy. Your fleet type affects user experience, operational costs, maintenance needs, and regulatory compliance. Whether you plan to launch e‑scooters, e‑bikes, mopeds, or a mixed fleet, each vehicle category serves a different purpose.
This guide covers the main micromobility fleet vehicles – bike, e‑bike, kick scooter, e‑scooter, moped, and e‑moped – along with their features, common manufacturers, docking options, and ideal use cases.
Understanding the vehicle types
Bike (mechanical bicycle) A standard pedal bicycle with no motor. In shared fleets, mechanical bikes are simple, durable, and cost‑efficient. They require minimal electronics and are ideal for cities with strong cycling infrastructure. They generate lower maintenance costs but depend entirely on rider effort. Normally, user demand for this type of bike is also lower, thus operators can expect lower RPV rate (rides per vehicle per day).
E‑bike (electric bicycle) An electric bike combines pedal power with an electric motor that assists the rider. E‑bikes allow longer trips, easier hill climbing, and broader user appeal. Typical shared e‑bike trips range between 5–10 km. They cost more upfront but often generate higher revenue per ride. Many fleet operators source models from manufacturers such as Segway‑Ninebot, Okai, and Yadea. You can explore available e‑bike hardware options on the ATOM Mobility vehicles page: https://www.atommobility.com/vehicles.
Kick scooter (non‑electric scooter) A kick scooter is manually powered by pushing off the ground. While less common in commercial shared fleets today, they are still used in some controlled campus or tourism environments where low speed and low complexity are priorities.
E‑scooter (electric scooter) E‑scooters are lightweight, battery‑powered vehicles designed for short urban trips, typically under 4 km. They are highly flexible and well suited for dense city centers and first‑mile/last‑mile transport. Modern fleet models include swappable batteries, improved braking systems, suspension upgrades, and integrated IoT modules. Popular manufacturers include Segway‑Ninebot, Okai, and Navee that can also be found at ATOM Mobility.
Moped (fuel‑powered light motorcycle) A moped is a small motorized vehicle traditionally powered by gasoline, offering higher speeds and longer range than bikes or scooters. In shared mobility, fuel mopeds are becoming less common due to emissions regulations but still operate in some regions.
E‑moped (electric moped) An e‑moped is an electric version of a traditional moped. It provides longer range and higher speed than e‑scooters, often up to 45 km/h depending on local regulations. E‑mopeds are ideal for suburban areas or cities with longer commuting distances. Manufacturers such as NIU, Silence, Super Soco, and Yadea dominate this segment.
The table below provides a general comparison of the most common shared mobility vehicle types, including typical purchase prices, expected service life in commercial fleets, and average utilization (rides per vehicle per day). Actual figures vary depending on manufacturer, market, operating conditions, and fleet maintenance.
Approx. new purchase price – The typical cost of purchasing a new commercial-grade vehicle for a shared mobility fleet. Prices vary depending on the manufacturer, hardware specifications, battery capacity, IoT integration, and fleet order size.
Approx. used purchase price – The typical market price of a pre-owned commercial vehicle suitable for shared mobility operations. Factors such as vehicle age, mileage, battery health (for electric vehicles), overall condition, and refurbishment status significantly influence the price.
Typical fleet lifespan – The average period a vehicle remains economically viable in a shared mobility fleet before being retired or replaced. Lifespan depends on ride frequency, maintenance quality, weather conditions, road infrastructure, vandalism, accidents, and how intensively the fleet is operated.
Average rides/day/vehicle (RPV) – Rides Per Vehicle per Day (RPV) is one of the most important performance metrics for shared mobility operators. It measures the average number of completed trips each vehicle performs daily. Higher RPV generally leads to better fleet utilization, faster return on investment, and improved profitability. Actual RPV varies depending on vehicle type, city size, demand, seasonality, pricing strategy, fleet availability, and operational efficiency.
Docked vs dockless infrastructure
Beyond vehicle choice, parking strategy matters. Dockless fleets offer flexibility but may create parking compliance challenges. Docked systems use physical stations that improve order, security, and charging efficiency.
Several manufacturers specialize in docking and locking infrastructure, including KNOT CITY (which recently is out of market), and Kuhmute. These docking systems can improve vehicle organization, reduce vandalism, and simplify charging logistics for e‑bikes and e‑mopeds.
E‑scooters: Best for dense urban zones
E‑scooters work best in compact city centers, student districts, and areas with high short‑trip demand. They require less parking space and are faster to deploy. However, they demand consistent maintenance and battery management.
E‑bikes: Broader demographic appeal
E‑bikes provide greater comfort and stability, making them suitable for older users, tourists, and riders carrying bags. They perform well in cities with established cycling lanes or moderate hills. Although more expensive than scooters, they often achieve longer ride durations and stronger customer loyalty.
E‑mopeds: Extended range and higher revenue potential
E‑mopeds are suitable for cities with wider geography or suburban commuting patterns. They typically deliver higher revenue per trip but require licensing compliance and more robust fleet management.
Matching vehicles to city profiles
Tourist cities often benefit from e‑bikes due to comfort and sightseeing suitability. College towns frequently lean toward e‑scooters because of affordability and convenience. Larger or hilly cities may support mixed fleets. Suburban zones often justify e‑mopeds for longer travel distances.
Climate also influences hardware decisions. Wet or cold regions require sealed wiring, water‑resistant components, and tires suitable for slippery conditions.
Planning your hardware strategy
Choosing the right fleet is not only about vehicle type. It involves sourcing reliable manufacturers, evaluating docking options, understanding regulatory requirements, and planning maintenance cycles. Reviewing available hardware categories through ATOM Mobility’s vehicles directory can help operators compare models and integrations before committing to a large fleet purchase.
The most successful operators treat fleet composition as flexible. They start with one category and expand based on usage data, seasonality, and rider behavior. A balanced hardware strategy allows adaptation without replacing the entire fleet.
ATOM Mobility supports mixed fleets – including e‑scooters, e‑bikes, and e‑mopeds – within one platform, covering booking, payments, hardware integrations, and analytics. This allows operators to scale gradually while maintaining operational control.
Vehicle choice is not static. As cities evolve and regulations tighten, operators who understand their hardware options and adapt quickly are better positioned for long‑term growth.
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How to launch a taxi business without building everything from scratch
🚕 Getting drivers on the road is not the only thing you need to launch your taxi business. Many new platforms struggle with the same problem – drivers with no demand and riders with no available drivers. Building both at the same time is where most launches fail. This article introduces the key steps to launch a taxi business and avoid the most common mistakes.
July 15, 2026
min. read
Launching a taxi business today takes more than having drivers. It requires a system that can attract riders, onboard drivers, manage bookings, process payments, and keep daily operations running smoothly as demand grows.
The ride-hailing market is growing fast, while customer acquisition is getting more expensive and more competitive. Technavio estimates the global ride-hailing market will grow by more than $102 billion between 2024 and 2029, which creates room for new operators, but also raises the cost of visibility, paid acquisition, and brand differentiation in crowded markets, according to this ride-hailing services market forecast.
Many operators now launch faster by using ready-made tools instead of building every part from scratch. ATOM Mobility has already helped operators launch mobility businesses in as little as 90 days through a phased rollout covering market validation, legal setup, branding, driver onboarding, and launch execution.
But how to actually launch your business, if you’re not willing to do everything from scratch?
1. Start with a market gap, not with the app
Most taxi businesses do not fail because the app is missing a feature but because there is no clear reason for customers to switch. Before choosing software or recruiting drivers, define where your opportunity is. That could mean:
- poor service in smaller cities
- premium airport rides
- business travel
- women-only rides
- scheduled transport
- local business transport partnerships
This matters more than most expect. Your pricing, branding, driver experience, and customer acquisition all depend on the niche you choose. That is why defining a clear angle early matters, especially in crowded markets.
2. Get legal and operational basics in place
A taxi business is still a regulated business. Before launch, you need to set up the basics properly:
- business registration
- local taxi or ride-hailing permits
- insurance
- driver requirements
- vehicle checks
- payment compliance
Skipping this part slows everything down later.
This is also the stage where many founders underestimate operating costs. Beyond software, you will need to plan for driver incentives, support, payment processing, and customer acquisition. That is one reason many operators now launch with white-label software instead of funding a custom build from day one.
3. Launch with ready-made software, not custom development
Building a taxi app from scratch is expensive (in many cases we see it costs more than 30 000 -50 000 EUR), slow (takes many monhts), and usually unnecessary. To launch a working taxi business, you need:
- rider app
- driver app
- dispatch logic
- payment system
- admin dashboard
- support tools
- analytics
- integrations
Most early-stage operators do not need to build these systems themselves but a working infrastructure they can brand and launch quickly. That is why many operators start with ATOM Mobility, where the full system already includes rider and driver apps, dispatch tools, payments, analytics, integrations and backend operations in one platform. This is the same logic behind building a branded taxi service with white-label software instead of spending months on custom development.
4. Make driver onboarding simple from day one
Driver onboarding needs to be fast and easy enough that drivers can register, upload documents, get approved, and start working without delays. But if onboarding takes too long, drivers drop off before they complete their first ride.
A strong launch setup should include:
- fast registration
- document upload
- quick approval flow
- simple earnings tracking
This is also where the ATOM Mobility driver app becomes important, since it gives drivers one place to accept rides, navigate, manage earnings, and stay active without switching between tools.
5. Give users more than one way to book
Many taxi businesses still focus only on app installs but that is a mistake. Not every rider wants to download an app before booking a ride. This is especially true for airport pickups and tourists in general, hotel guests, older riders, and occasional users. That is why booking flexibility is important. Alongside mobile apps, many operators now add browser-based booking so riders can order without installing anything.
This is what ATOM introduced with its Web Booker for ride-hail, which gives operators a simple way to capture web traffic, direct bookings, and one-time users without forcing an app download.
6. Build supply and demand at the same time
You need both, drivers and riders, to be interested in your service from day one – drivers will not stick around without rides and riders won’t pick you if there are no available drivers.
That means:
- recruit drivers before launch
- pre-seed rider demand
- test dispatch density
- launch in one focused zone first
- avoid expanding too early
This is one reason local launches tend to perform better than city-wide launches. Smaller launch zones create stronger supply-demand density and better first user experience.
7. Plan marketing before launch, not after
Most taxi businesses fail because not enough people know they exist, not because they lack great technology. Founders often spend months building operations, then treat marketing as something to figure out later, which can become an aspect in which the expenses start rising fast.
You need:
- launch campaigns
- local paid ads
- rider promos
- referral loops
- landing pages
- retargeting
ATOM now offers a dedicated marketing agency for mobility businesses, built specifically for operators who need help acquiring riders, running paid campaigns, and building predictable demand. Without consistent rider acquisition, even a strong product struggles.
8. Think beyond taxis from the start
Many operators launch with taxis first, then expand into extra services once demand is stable.
That could mean:
- airport transfers
- scheduled rides
- delivery
- business transport
- shuttle services
- car sharing or rental
- micromobility
This is one of the strongest advantages of launching on flexible mobility software. You are not building a single-use taxi app but a mobility platform that can grow. That is also why ATOM’s ride-hailing platform was built to integrate with broader shared mobility services instead of staying limited to one transport model.
If you’re launching a taxi business, building the right system usually is more important than building a software from scratch. The strongest operators start with a clear market gap, launch with ready-made tools, onboard drivers quickly, give riders flexible booking options, and invest in demand early.
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