Mobility Hubs: steering the shift towards integrated sustainable mobility

The growing shift toward sustainable, multimodal transportation has made mobility hubs a key pillar in public transport and urban mobility strategies. This best practice focuses on the implementation of mobility hubs within an integrated network, aimed at promoting sustainable multimodal transportation. Mobility hubs are adaptable and vary based on the context of their location, whether urban, suburban, rural, or national, each serving distinct mobility needs while facilitating transfers between transport modes.  

The primary objectives of mobility hubs include raising awareness of new transport services and promoting multimodal, low-carbon mobility. By offering integrated options – such as shared cars, public transport, and active mobility – mobility hubs enhance first- and last-mile connectivity, making public transport more accessible and convenient. They aim to improve public transport and active mobility by making these options safer and more attractive. Additionally, mobility hubs enhance public spaces and community accessibility by acting as centres for local services and amenities. The overarching goal is to reduce car dependency by offering attractive alternatives to private vehicles while ensuring the long-term viability and sustainability of hubs through integration into local ecosystems, policies, and operations.  

The methodology for implementing mobility hubs begins with understanding the local context and tailoring each hub to its geographical and socio-economic environment. For example, hubs in rural areas might focus on improving first- and last-mile connectivity, while urban hubs prioritize multimodal integration. Flexibility in design and continuous evaluation are critical to ensure that hubs adapt to changing demands and technological advances. Stakeholder involvement is also essential; authorities, transport operators, and local communities must collaborate to ensure hubs meet user needs. Co-creation processes with residents ensure that hubs are user-centric, and partnerships with local businesses and energy providers contribute to their sustainability.  

A key feature of mobility hubs is their physical integration. These hubs combine multiple transport modes – such as buses, trams, bikes, e-scooters, and shared cars – supported by infrastructure like charging stations, bike racks, and pedestrian pathways. This physical integration is enhanced by digital integration, as hubs often serve as a physical representation of MaaS platforms.  

 Strong leadership and governance are crucial to the success of mobility hubs. Public authorities and transport operators must provide clear leadership, outlining responsibilities for the hubs’ development and maintenance. A robust governance model ensures alignment between all stakeholders, while effective branding and visibility increase public awareness and acceptance. The scalability of hubs is another key factor: mobility hubs should be part of a larger, integrated network that is guided by strategic planning documents, such as Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs). A well-coordinated network increases the overall effectiveness of transport systems across regions.  

To support their stable development and operation, a regulatory framework is essential. Clear responsibilities, stable operational models, and multilateral commitments ensure the long-term viability of mobility hubs. It is important to recognise that mobility hubs may not be commercially viable from the outset. Instead, their sustainability hinges on their integration into the local transport ecosystem, with public sector investment reinforcing their value over time. 

Key recommendations 

• If you wish to promote sustainable multimodal lifestyles, you will need mobility hubs as infrastructure to support the shit away from private car usage.  
• Mobility hubs need to be implemented in a scalable network to ensure value for the user can increase exponentially as part of long-term planning.  
• Stakeholder’s involvement in planning and clear leadership on branding, design and communication are vital to hub success.  
• For mobility hubs to develop, a regulatory framework with clear responsibilities and multilateral commitment to a stable offer are needed to offset the volatility of the shared mobility market whilst being flexible enough to adapt to changing needs.  
• It is important to commit to working on the viability of mobility hubs beyond day one of their implementation. This can be reinforced by considering the context, the involvement of civic society, the value delivered to service operators and the opportunities for cross-selling between different services.  

Conclusion:  

With mobility hubs, authorities and public transport operators have a new tool for delivering a multimodal mobility offer. Hubs’ urban acupuncture approach, or hyper-local interventions, to public space, can move its design away from car-centric to one centred on people. By focusing on making active, shared and public travel modes the simplest choice for people, mobility hubs can deliver wider benefits and unite different stakeholders in the transition to sustainable mobility.