A Scoping Review of the Barriers and Prerequisites for MaaS Implementation in Low-Demand Contexts

MaaS, the acronym for Mobility as a Service, denotes the emerging mobility paradigm whose widespread development involves many different countries. It is a user-oriented travel planning solution that combines multiple mobility systems from both public and private operators into one digital platform. The platform supports the user at all stages of the journey: planning, booking, and payment, and promotes the integration of different transport systems according to principles of efficiency and sustainability. To date, MaaS deployments have mainly been in densely populated urban areas, where higher travel demand, infrastructure connectivity, and service provision make this solution more cost and performance-efficient. In regions characterised by low population density, inadequate infrastructure and network coverage, and poor transport services, MaaS solutions are much less likely to be adopted. Despite low passenger numbers and poor financial performance, the highly personalised and adaptable nature of the service, facilitated by the support of the latest technologies, suggests such a formula for improving the mobility of specific groups of users (inhabitants of low-density areas, people with special needs such as the disabled and the elderly). With this assumption, the paper aims to investigate the feasibility of MaaS systems as a solution for passenger transport in low-demand areas, starting with a scoping review of the literature focusing on the prerequisites and limitations of its practical implementation. The selected studies have shown the complexity of the issue and the need to adopt a multi-level perspective due to the very diverse and variable nature of the factors involved. However, such an approach is still rarely used in favour of sectoral studies focusing on specific technical aspects, mainly related to operational performance, efficiency, and economic viability. Much less attention is paid to the social impact of MaaS solutions, i.e. their potential to contribute to territorial rebalancing and the inclusion of vulnerable groups. Further research is needed to develop a practical model that can be used in low-demand situations and that combines cost-effectiveness with environmental, social, and governance principles.