Connected cities: orchestrating the complexity of future mobility

Bikes, scooters, metro systems, car share... cities have never had as many transport options as they do today. Faced with this effervescence, how can a simple, streamlined and inclusive experience be guaranteed for everyone? Julia Mason, Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer at SNCF Connect & Tech, shares her practical vision of harnessing the power of the digital world for more sustainable and harmonious mobility. Read on.

Managing the growing complexity of urban mobility 
 

Cities face an unprecedented challenge of integrating and coordinating an ever-expanding range of transport services. Transport modes are multiplying, their uses are changing rapidly, as are specialised service providers. According to a recent study by the French Institute of Transport, the use of self-service bicycles has increased by 30% in major European cities over the last two years. "This bountiful offering, while promoting low-carbon solutions, makes the user experience and management considerably more complex for cities. They are faced with additional constraints, with a fairly wide choice of suppliers and solutions, making it a truly complex situation."
 

Meanwhile, the public oscillates between regular and occasional use, depending on where people live or travel. Ecosystems must therefore be easy to access, flexible, adaptable and universal, while incorporating recent technological innovations that are rapidly gaining widespread acceptance (NFC, M-Tickets, etc.). "Added to this operational challenge are regulatory, financial and environmental issues, which require local authorities to reinvent their transport policies in a rapid and agile manner," continues Julia Mason.

 

Digitalisation: a vital tool for cities
 

Faced with this effervescence, digitalisation is becoming a vital tool for centralising and harmonising mobility services. "What we're looking for is an aggregation platform that can manage all types of suppliers and modes to offer a streamlined and reliable experience." The benefits of digitalisation go far beyond simplifying the user journey; it offers unprecedented strategic flexibility for mobility authorities:
 

• Easily integrate new partners (startups, local operators, shared mobility stakeholders),
• Adapt services in real time to the changing needs of populations (modifying services to meet peak usage needs, managing events, health crises, etc.),
• Anticipate technological changes (deployment of NFC, contactless payment ('open payment'), AI-related innovations in predictive transport, etc.),
• Optimise public policies based on detailed data analysis (travel flows, usage patterns, carbon impact, etc.).

This approach helps to bring together urban, rail and shared transport services within a single digital ecosystem. It also offers the flexibility needed to rapidly integrate new partners and meet users' evolving needs.

"Digital accessibility also remains a key challenge: ensuring that everyone, whatever their skills or usage, can access mobility services simply and easily," adds Julia Mason.

A concrete answer provided by SNCF Connect & Tech
 

“SNCF Connect & Tech is already working towards this goal. With more than 16 million users on SNCF Connect in 2024, we know what customers expect in terms of mobility and user experience, particularly for traveller information, route searches, purchase and payment. Drawing on our experience in interconnecting trains and urban networks, we offer platforms capable of integrating multiple sources and suppliers," continues Julia Mason. An approach that offers flexibility, interoperability and a consistent user experience, even in a context of fluctuating offers and market players.
 

"To make this transition a success, local authorities, operators and technology companies must all work together to prioritise and adopt centralised solutions. A more streamlined, inclusive and environmentally-friendly mobility is being built today, for the benefit of all citizens". In other words, reinventing tomorrow's mobility together, today.