Casual Carpooling: A Strategy to Support Implementation of Mobility-as-a-Service in a Developing Country

Rodrigo Gandia, Fabio Antonialli, Isabelle Nicolaï, Joel Sugano, Julia Oliveira and Izabela Oliveira
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Rodrigo Gandia: Departamento de Administração e Economia, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37200-900, Brazil
Fabio Antonialli: Laboratoire de Tribologie et Dynamique des Systèmes, École Centrale Lyon, Écully, 69134 Lyon, France
Joel Sugano: Departamento de Administração e Economia, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37200-900, Brazil
Julia Oliveira: Departamento de Estatística, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37200-900, Brazil
Izabela Oliveira: Departamento de Estatística, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37200-900, Brazil

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 5, 1-18

Abstract: Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) offers tailored-made, on-demand mobility solutions to users by integrating on a single service subscription, public and private transport modes. However, the concept is still uncertain, and its current development and applicability is centered on developed countries. On the other hand, we advocate that MaaS is modular, adaptable, and applicable to several realities. In developing countries where public transport is mostly inefficient and insufficient, MaaS could help to “balance the scale” with private transport offerings, such as ridesharing. Casual carpooling could be an affordable alternative. Not only for being a low-tech transport mode but also for optimizing vehicle usage of idle seats. In that optics, we have identified drivers who would facilitate integrating casual practices into a MaaS. To identify the motivating factors behind casual carpooling and propose a strategy to implement it in a MaaS scheme, a quantitative survey was applied to 307 university students in the city Lavras, Brazil. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques. We assumed that casual carpooling is sustained by solidarity, simplicity, and agility; no costs to passengers; and institutionalized pickup points. Then, we identify principal strategic components to implement such an initiative. We concluded that casual carpooling as a low-tech transport mode could enhance local strategy for implementing an eco-innovative MaaS in places with inefficient public transport offerings.

Keywords: mobility-as-a-service; casual carpooling; eco-innovation; urban mobility planning; consumer behavior; smart mobility; sustainable transports (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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