The new platform will be connected to existing apps of public transport providers NS, RET, and HTM

Randstadrail_Westeinde

The RiVier joint venture awards contract for a MaaS platform to Siemens Mobility. (Credit: HTM)

Siemens Mobility said that it will develop a countrywide, intelligent Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platform for the Netherlands, which is expected to enable providers to integrate travel planning.

In this connection, the German public transport solutions provider will sign a contract in the country with the RiVier joint venture.

The joint venture comprises the Netherlands Railways (NS), HTM, the public transport company in The Hague, and RET, a public transport operator in Rotterdam.

Siemens Mobility expects to deliver the MaaS platform in the autumn. Its subsidiaries Hacon and eos.uptrade will supply the technological core of the platform.

Siemens Mobility intermodal solutions head and Hacon CEO Michael Frankenberg said: “Creating the perfect passenger experience requires cooperation across the industry. It is inspiring to see how NS, RET and HTM are joining forces to make the mobility landscape in the Netherlands even more attractive.

“We at Hacon and eos.uptrade are very proud to bring our know-how and solutions to this trail-blazing project.”

To be developed as an open ecosystem, the new platform will be connected to existing apps of NS, RET, and HTM.

The three Dutch rail operators are inviting other mobility providers to join the platform to make travelling by public transport, car, scooter, taxi, and bicycle sharing better connected and more convenient.

According to Siemens Mobility, mobility providers through the MaaS platform can showcase their services and better customise them to the requirements of travellers.  Besides, they also get to streamline their fleet management, said the German firm.

Apart from providing efficiency and passenger comfort, MaaS comes with eco-friendly and sustainability benefits, claimed Siemens Mobility.

RET director Maurice Unck said: “The pandemic is changing our behaviour. We work, learn and travel more flexibly: in time, place and choice of means of transport.

“That is why we are investing in the best travel options for consumers right now.

“We lower the threshold to easily plan, book and pay for a trip with multiple modes of transport.”