The combined effect of shared, connected, autonomous, and electric vehicles on the horizon creates uncertainty about long-term transit investments and operations.
This research paper was initiated by The Conference Board of Canada’s Roundtable on Shared Mobility to provide evidence-based insights to assist decision-makers with the following questions:
- What are the motivations behind shared mobility services?
- How does the introduction of shared mobility affect established transport services, such as public transit?
- Which impacts are observed on car use and ownership?
- How might shared mobility services support transit delivery?
- Which strategies can public transit agencies take to remain vital in the new mobility ecosystem?
To help address these research questions, activities undertaken to inform this report consisted of a literature review of public transit and shared mobility, augmented by interviews with stakeholders in the mobility ecosystem. These inputs were used to develop recommendations for transit authority consideration as a way of enhancing the provision of essential services and social value, as a new mobility paradigm emerges.