APAC Transformational Think Tank: Mobility Series

APAC Transformational Think Tank: Mobility Series:  A collaborative platform to introduce, share and discuss a diverse range of new ideas and provoke discussion on critical issues surrounding the future of mobility. This is where members engage with one another to share cross-industry perspectives on the forces shaping and driving new growth opportunities and areas of innovation.

Topic: Impact of Post-Pandemic New Normal on Mobility

• Redefining Mobility: The Pandemic placed attention on the “purpose” of mobility – rather than “mode” of mobility. Covid accelerated the adaptation of modes by purpose – especially with the onset of digitalization resulting in remote work and e-commerce.
•  As a lens to understand this issue, suggest to consider from the perspective of individual (private transport), society (public or shared mobility) and state (regulation).

1. Individual mobility significantly repurposed: Mobility for the purposes of getting to and from work (and shopping) will reduce for many industries. However likely to witness an increase in mobility for healthcare, hygiene and entertainment. Immediately after Covid, individual car sales have actually rebounded with high demand (pent up + unwillingness to take public transport). Greater awareness and sentiment to de-carbonize mobility (shared responsibility) but balanced with economic uncertainty. Also an increase in non-motorized mobility – with bicycle and walking increasing(for health and shorter travel.
2. Societal mobility likely to recover with incentives: Transport through public and shared mobility actually went down for passenger transport, with the public unwillingness to take crowded transport. Requires greater emphasis on sanitized transport and integrated 1st and last mile mobility integration (especially fare) to incentivize people to move back to public transportation. Shared mobility and public transport slowly recovering, but service and customization required to allow flexible utilization. MaaS as public transportation likely to be future approach (private MaaS unlikely to make business sense).
3.  Regulatory role becoming more important: Environmental concerns, energy self-reliance and optimization of costs (health, transport, oil) likely to drive states to be more prescriptive (however in a non-punitive manner) on urban mobility, with greater freedom for private players in suburban and rural markets.