It has been pointed out that a public transportation-centric Mobility as a Service (Maas) platform is needed due to the worsening traffic congestion and air pollution problems in metropolitan areas. Concerns regarding safety and security of this system have also been raised.
The Korea Automobile Journalists Association held a forum on the topic “The Public is the Answer for Urban Maas” on the 19th at the EXCO, where the Daegu Future Mobility Expo is taking place.
Maas stands for Mobility as a Service, which refers to an integrated mobility service. It encompasses not just ride-hailing taxis but also subways, buses, electric scooters, and all forms of personal mobility.
Kim Ki-hyuk, president of Daegu Transportation Corporation, explained, “The future of transportation does not lie solely in private vehicles; we must create a center of public transportation that will enable the publicization of buses.”
Professor Hong Jeong-ryeol from Keimyung University also stressed, “Given the growing traffic congestion and environmental issues in metropolitan areas, the introduction of Maas is necessary. When Maas is implemented, it will enable seamless mobility from electric scooters to public transit, requiring government-level regulations to enhance public transportation. “
Minimum Yoon, Chief Researcher for Maas at T-money, discussed their Maas-type application called ‘T-money Go’, stating, “T-money Go is a platform linked to public transport that offers mileage rewards based on users’ travel history. We aim to provide a platform focusing on public transportation.”
However, concerns regarding the Maas platform were also raised. Reporter Park Chan-kyu, chair of the academic division of the Korea Automobile Journalists Association, said, “Whether this is a public or private initiative is a separate issue. If a hacking incident or a data center fire occurs, it could result in a national disaster. We must first secure security measures related to this.” He also pointed out, “The issue of personal data is being overlooked; resolving potential problems is imperative.”
Daegu = Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr