Multimodality is set to play an important role in the future of many European cities, including ICLEI Member Antwerp (Belgium). By combining different travel modes and reducing reliance on cars, congestion, noise and air pollution can be reduced, and people's quality of life enhanced.

However, when using the different forms of transport they need in their daily lives, many people struggle with the multiple apps, cards, cash payments, and forms of ticketing involved.

That is where the Mobility as a Service (MaaS) concept comes in. This offers a possible integrated solution to these complex user needs by enabling users to access multiple travel options via a single platform or app, such as trams, trains, buses, shared cars, bikes and scooters.

In Belgium's second largest city, MaaS has the potential to help alleviate major pressure on the city's (road) infrastructure. The challenging mobility situation this is causing is having a negative impact on the city's liveability and its appeal to tourists and businesses.

With the support of the CIVITAS PORTIS project, Antwerp is creating the building blocks for the successful establishment of a MaaS marketplace and providers in the city under its wide-ranging “Smart Ways to Antwerp” (SWtA) initiative.

To find out more how Antwerp is going about creating a MaaS marketplace and about SWtA, click here.