From global mobility to sustainable travel solutions and beyond, the Mobility section of eCabs’ blog offers valuable insights into the world of transportation, as we discover the latest trends and challenges, and seek innovative solutions.

No driving license No problem

No driving license? No problem!

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eCabs International Business Development Manager

Ruslan Golomovzy

I’ve been working in the mobility industry for over eight years now in various capacities. Yet I don’t have a driving license.

When I mention that I don’t drive, there’s a consensus that it’s strange and bizarre – to them. Not to me.

Allow me to explain.

I’m a TCK – a third-culture-kid. A TCK is someone who was raised in a culture other than their parents or the culture of their country of nationality. And also lived in a different environment during a significant part of their developmental years.

I was fortunate to grow up in Singapore, in a Russian/Ukrainian family. I also attended an international school that had representation from over 90 different countries.

This exposure fosters adaptability, resilience, and a unique perspective on cultural norms.

Riding around the world, without a driving license

Growing up in Singapore, I took advantage of the fantastic transport services, buses, underground railway (MRT) and occasionally cabs if I was in a hurry.

Driving a car in Singapore never crossed my mind. Not only did I deem it unnecessary. There was also the fact that Singapore’s Certificate of Entitlement system mandates a minimum payment of 190% of the vehicle value to simply be allowed to drive it on the road – even before you buy the vehicle.

From Singapore I travelled to the UK, to complete my undergraduate degree in London.

I found no need to have a driving license in London. I was lucky enough to spend my four years there in central locations. Everything was within walking distance, or just a tube ride away.

Part-way through my studies, in 2015, I lived in Casablanca, Morrocco. Casablanca at the time was seeing the introduction of Uber (which had seven drivers and I met them all).

My friends recommended I embrace the local red-coloured ‘petit taxis’. These were usually smaller older cars (pre-2000) that operated like an on-demand bus service.

At the time, a trip almost anywhere in Casablanca was less than €0.50. And taking an Uber was less than €2.00.

Arriving in Malta

I then moved to Malta to start an executive chauffeur service company. And frankly – when you have your own fleet of vehicles and drivers – I found no need to drive or have a driving license.

Now I work at eCabs, the leading ride-hailing company in the country. And lo and behold, I book eCabs whenever I need to go somewhere.

Malta has the second highest road density in the world, with some 18,000 vehicles per square km of road. Why would anyone want to go through the hassle of driving here? (Yes, I consider my colleagues who sometimes give me a lift ‘brave’).

How I justify it; or just do the Maths

As Kara Swisher points out in one of her NYT pieces, the ownership of a private vehicle will one day be as quaint as owning a horse.

Following Kara’s thoughts, I too don’t see the point in owning a personal vehicle.

Financially, vehicles can’t be considered an asset. They start rapidly depreciating in value the moment the vehicle leaves the showroom.

There are far too many risks involved in driving/parking it.

And frankly – even if you use it for an hour daily, that’s less than 5% of your entire day.

Invest in a good bed instead.

With the availability of micro-mobility, if I need to get somewhere, I ride an electric scooter* or walk (we have a great climate for that here in Malta).

If you’re spending less than €400 a month on cabs, you don’t need a car.

The business perspective

It’s been called ‘ironic’ as I work at a ride-hailing company, but is it?

Our clients come to us for mobility solutions. And corporate clientele are moving towards commitments to sustainability and providing eco-friendly solutions for their employees.

How can one truly understand a client if you don’t walk a mile in their shoes?

When it comes to eCabs, I use our cabs to attend meetings – and go through the same journey/experience that our customers do.

This ensures that I can keep a pulse on how our ride-hailing service is performing.

On more than one occasion, I’ve been able to point out simple things that would ensure a better service for corporate clients.

Such as ensuring that their Google Maps marker is registered correctly to allow for better route mapping and more accurate pick-up locations.

If I had driven myself to the client, would I have experienced this? No, but their employees using our services do, and it would have been overlooked from the get-go.

With Malta being what it is, I believe that every little effort helps in decongesting our roads and ensuring that we instil better mobility habits into future generations.

While others preach about change, I prefer to “Be the change you wish to see in the world” (Ghandi).

Looking ahead: the future of personal mobility

I believe we’re at the precipice of how mobility will be defined for the generations to come.

If we plunge into the future with the right mindset and considerations for the environment, the urban setting and start correctly factoring in the costs of owning a private vehicle, we are going see a continuous adoption of greener, shared and even, perhaps, viable autonomous solutions.

*This blog was written a day prior to the Government of Malta announcing a ban on rental e-scooters from the 1st of March 2024. Private e-scooters will still be allowed.

Ruslan is an experienced professional in the MaaS industry, bringing seven years of operational experience and a track record of launching new products into the market. He has a talent for identifying opportunities for growth, building and nurturing relationships with clients and partners, and negotiating contracts. He has considerable expertise in market research, analysis, and forecasting, as well as experience in managing complex projects. Ruslan is passionate about driving innovation in the MaaS industry. He does not own a car and refuses to drive, to ensure he inherently has a different perception on mobility. During his free time, his various interests include playing Dungeons and Dragons, going to the gym, rock climbing, cooking, and gardening.
The crucial role of mobility operators in urban planning

The crucial role of mobility operators in urban planning

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eCabs International Business Development Manager

Ruslan Golomovzy

Urban planning is the process of developing and designing urban areas to meet the needs of a community.

There are far too many considerations to list them all and dive into them in a blog. Yet – the practice draws from quite a few disciplines; architecture, engineering, economics, sociology, public health and more.

‘Sustainable development’ as an idea has been around since the late 20th century, as advocated by the United Nations-sponsored World Commission on Environment and Development in Our Common Future (1987).

As I discussed in my Policy Development blog, the mobility operator is once again a key stakeholder that is still being left out of the dialogue.

Enhancing efficiency and connectivity

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have been used to map existing urban systems and attempt to project the consequences of change.

This approach is a slow-burning exercise. Whereupon historic data may no longer be relevant with the rapid change in consumer behaviour in relation to their mobility use.

Once again, real-time data that mobility platforms and operators have access to can be evaluated, to ensure that the behaviour of the citizens who are the key stakeholders of urban planning is being taken into consideration.

It’s currently estimated that the percentage of people living in urban areas has increased from 64% to 83% since 1950.

With cities becoming more populous, we must consider more than ‘how does one get from A to B.’ The question must consider how people navigate their urban spaces, for work, leisure, shopping, dining out and so on.

Antoine Zammit, an urban planning expert, highlighted the need for further collaboration among stakeholders in Malta at the Sustainable Transport: Adaption and Resilience in the Maltese Islands conference.

Leveraging the data

Mobility operators generate vast amounts of data related to usage patterns, peak hours, and popular routes. This offers valuable insights into urban mobility trends.

Urban planners can leverage this data to make informed decisions. Such as optimising public transportation routes, identifying gaps in infrastructure, and implementing demand-responsive services.

Tying in with the same pain points addressed with policy development, mobility platforms need to be integrated into the process of urban planning.

We have the data to validate decisions and provide guidance and evaluation of emerging trends. Ensuring that we can contribute to the acceleration of decision-making and improving the quality of life for citizens.

Poor infrastructure, congestion, and long driving distances negatively contribute to the quality of life. The more people who can move around without cars, the better for everyone.

Collaborative efforts can lead to optimised routes, reduced congestion, and increased connectivity. This will result in a more efficient and seamless urban mobility experience.

Addressing diversifying mobility needs

Since 2013, the SUMP model has been recognised as the new approach to urban mobility planning.

The model encompasses eight crucial principles:

  1. Plan for sustainable mobility in the entire ‘functional city’.
  2. Cooperate across institutional boundaries.
  3. Involve citizens and stakeholders.
  4. Assess current and future performance.
  5. Define a long-term vision and clear implementation plan.
  6. Develop all transport modes in an integrated manner.
  7. Arrange for monitoring and evaluation.
  8. Assure quality.

While the model has been around for a decade, and we’ve seen partial success in the adoption of the model in Spain, we’re still miles off. The lack of a common agency, institution, observatory or other organisation. It is not easy to know and confirm the successful implementation of this model.

#HarmonyH2020 conference in Barcelona, Spain – Simone Bosetti speaks about Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning recommendations and roadmaps.

An inclusive and sustainable transportation ecosystem

Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is developing at break-neck speed. In part thanks to the low barriers of entry in micro mobility.

With the advent of alternative forms of transport, and the low-friction, digitised access – consumers have more access than ever before. And in parallel, mobility operators have more data to evaluate than ever before.

Access to this varied data can help develop an inclusive and sustainable transportation ecosystem that caters to the needs of all residents, including commuters, tourists, and individuals with mobility challenges.

Collaborating with urban planners allows for the integration of sustainable transportation infrastructure, such as charging stations, bike lanes, and pedestrian-friendly zones, resulting in reduced carbon emissions and improved air quality.

AI reimagined urban landscapes in Malta with integrated multimodality

Different generations may have varying preferences for transportation modes. Baby boomers might prefer traditional public transit. While younger generations generally favour a mix of public transit, shared mobility, and active transportation.

Mobility platforms can offer insights into the demand for different modes of transportation, allowing urban planners to design infrastructure that encourages and supports multimodal transportation choices.

By considering the diverse needs of each generation, cities can create comprehensive transportation networks that seamlessly integrate various modes of transportation.

Ensuring equitable access

Generational differences can also manifest in terms of access to transportation services. It’s important to consider that not all generations have equal access to smartphones, digital platforms, or private vehicles.

Mobility operators can provide valuable insights into areas with limited access to transportation options, helping urban planners identify areas where public transit or shared mobility services should be prioritised.

I’ve used the example of ‘food deserts’ (an urban area in which it is difficult to buy affordable or good-quality fresh food) before. The same argument still stands for mobility and the underrepresentation of access to mobility. Whether it be due to poor urban planning, lack of digital access or not having the right type of mobility available to use.

By involving mobility operators, cities can work towards creating equitable transportation systems that ensure equal access to mobility options for people of all generations.

Incorporating the diverse needs of each generation, cities can create transportation networks that meet the expectations of boomers, millennials, Gen Z, and future generations, fostering an accessible, sustainable, and technologically advanced urban mobility landscape.

Ruslan is an experienced professional in the MaaS industry, bringing seven years of operational experience and a track record of launching new products into the market. He has a talent for identifying opportunities for growth, building and nurturing relationships with clients and partners, and negotiating contracts. He has considerable expertise in market research, analysis, and forecasting, as well as experience in managing complex projects. Ruslan is passionate about driving innovation in the MaaS industry. He does not own a car and refuses to drive, to ensure he inherently has a different perception on mobility. During his free time, his various interests include playing Dungeons and Dragons, going to the gym, rock climbing, cooking, and gardening.
Policy development and the role of mobility operators

Policy development and the role of mobility operators

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eCabs International Business Development Manager

Ruslan Golomovzy

We have spoken about MaaS (Mobility as a Service) before – its impacts, effects, and consequences on the future of transportation.

MaaS has allowed for the democratisation of access to mobility for all. It has done this by leveraging technology to provide a frictionless experience for anyone with mobility needs.

Booking a cab today is a matter of mere seconds. We have become accustomed to the fast-paced process as consumers.

Platforms and operators champion low waiting times and speedy service. However, we face a very different reality when it comes to mobility policies, their development, implementation, and evaluation.

Innovation, investment and integration

Today, we need to view mobility platforms as being part of the solution from a policy development point of view as well.

Policy development usually follows a three-step process, design, implementation, and feedback.

This is an archaic process, that fails to consider the necessity for fast feedback and adjustment.

The mobility industry is on the rise. The post-COVID uptake of micro-mobility has spurred innovation, investment, and integration with the current mobility policies in place.

We’ve seen partially successful micro-mobility policies implemented in Paris when it comes to e-scooters, with the guidance and support of the largest micro-mobility operators.

This was only possible due to the operators sharing their data on riders. Providing feedback to policymakers in real-time on the effects of the laws that they were implementing.

The implementation can only be considered partially successful. Safety was not enforced and eventually led to a negative perception of e-scooters in Paris. In April of 2023, Parisians voted to ban e-scooters.  

The role of data

When mobility operators are left out of the policy-making process, it is detrimental to all stakeholders.

Data has played a role in policy development for the last 20 years. However, it is usually an extrapolation of historic data. Or volunteer surveys that are then used to hypothesise how policies should be framed.

Naturally, one cannot wait, years in some cases, for a government statistics office to publish data to be able to take decisions.

With the data that we have access to today, as a tech mobility company, we are able to forecast faster, plan more efficiently and able to re-validate our decision-making at later dates when other data sources are published.

The granularity of the information – from how users interact with our products, to determining the most efficient way of distributing drivers across a territory to ensure low waiting times – further demonstrates the vast and untapped potential of mobility operators in policy-making.

The one source of truth

Mobility operators are the one source of truth when it comes to understanding how the end user chooses to use transportation.

We believe policies should focus on the improvement and empowerment of citizens. When you leave MaaS operators out of the conversation, it is a disservice to the citizen.

Even poor adoptions/enforcement of existing policies lead to bizarre cases. These slow down progress and hinder industry stakeholders from accelerating the industry forward.

When policies don’t make sense, businesses don’t invest.

Mobility is a capital-intensive, high volume and low-margin network market. So, the lack of enforced quality policies proves to be a barrier for MaaS and investment.

The cost of physical infrastructure (i.e., charging pillars), vehicles and maintenance of 24/7 operations is not a simple obligation. Especially when the operators deal directly with consumers and take on the responsibility of the well-being of their users.

The European Commission has formed a Commission Expert Group on Urban Mobility (EGUM). Its long-term objective to “help develop urban aspects of transport and support implementing the New EU Urban Mobility Framework”.

EGUM expects to develop the work programme over the next two years. With a key pillar focusing on data sharing for urban logistics, and how to support dialogue and voluntary data sharing between all types of stakeholders, whether they be public or private. 

Big data – a new opportunity

The utilisation of big data is imperative in the adjustment of existing laws and the development of new policies.

This would allow for reactive monitoring and adjustment of policies in a rapidly developing industry. Thus, ensuring that the governance of MaaS is vision-led and scaled to the right function urban area (FUA).

Big data is a new opportunity to ensure that when policies are designed, they are taking into consideration data from multiple sources and across the representative population.

GPS data has been used since the 2000s to help shape policies. However, it only provides information about what is happening. It does not facilitate further understanding of why a user may be travelling in a certain pattern or using only certain types of transportation.

The democratisation of mobility

We need to be able to tap into social media data to help policymakers detect the driving forces of people’s movement behaviour.

Furthermore, policymaking needs to further expand the scope of sources that are used to shape policies.

The democratisation of mobility also encompasses representation of all demographics within the population, from Gen Alpha’s through to Boomers. Each cohort is a valuable stakeholder that has to have their wants and needs thoroughly considered to ensure that all citizens are empowered.

Policies should focus on the improvement and empowerment of citizens… When policies don’t make sense, businesses don’t invest.

eCabs International Business Development Manager Ruslan Golomovzy

The idea of ‘food deserts’ (places where most residents don’t have access to affordable, nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains) extends to mobility, where a certain type of mobility could be underrepresented.

Without big data and the inclusion of all stakeholders, we risk isolating these members of society and depriving them of accessible mobility.

We believe policies should focus on the improvement and empowerment of citizens. When you leave MaaS operators out of the conversation, it is a disservice to the citizen.

This would be disadvantageous to all stakeholders, hindering people from accessing mobility and delaying the implementation of effective and future-oriented policies.

Ruslan is an experienced professional in the MaaS industry, bringing seven years of operational experience and a track record of launching new products into the market. He has a talent for identifying opportunities for growth, building and nurturing relationships with clients and partners, and negotiating contracts. He has considerable expertise in market research, analysis, and forecasting, as well as experience in managing complex projects. Ruslan is passionate about driving innovation in the MaaS industry. He does not own a car and refuses to drive, to ensure he inherently has a different perception on mobility. During his free time, his various interests include playing Dungeons and Dragons, going to the gym, rock climbing, cooking, and gardening.
4 great reasons to book a reliable airport transfer with eCabs

4 great reasons to book a reliable airport transfer

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In this blog we list the benefits of booking a reliable airport transfer.

Going abroad is always a great thing to look forward to. However, it can also be a little stressful unless all your ducks are in order. One thing you can easily tick on your list is pre-booking a reliable, affordable ride to and from the airport. 

Here are the main advantages of booking a cab ride for airport drop off or pick up, whether pre-booked or booked on demand. 

Affordability

Booking a taxi airport service with a ride-hailing company can often be more cost-effective than renting a car, or even using your own, especially when you factor in the cost of fuel and car park charges.

Peace of mind

When time is of the essence, pre-booking a cab via the comfort and ease of your mobile app to get you to and from the airport can be a big advantage.

Going to the airport? If you book an airport transfer, you get picked up from wherever and whenever is most convenient for you.

Travelling from the airport? No need to worry about carrying your bags and getting your car from the parking area, paying for the time you spent there and then driving home (which is probably the last thing you feel like after a plane ride).

When using an app or booking online, there are usually various different car types that you can choose from, depending on whether you are travelling alone or in a group, and how much luggage you have.

Flexibility and convenience

Of course, there are other ways to get to and from the airport, such as using your private car, as mentioned above.

There is also public transport, which is a great solution as long as you can spare a couple of hours over and above, just in case the bus is running late, or it is full and you have to wait for another one. It also works best if you are travelling light. Starting off your holiday time clutching your bags while travelling with loads of other people is not the most stress-free of beginnings.

Safety and comfort

Booking a cab via your ride-hailing app ensures that you will be picked up on time and have a ‘tailor-made’ comfortable, fast, affordable, and safe journey.

Just book the cab, follow it on the map with the ETA fully visible and easily contact the driver at the press of a button should you need to.

Travelling to Malta? Book your airport transfer with eCabs

There are plenty of things to stress about in life. Getting from the airport to your accommodation should not be one of them.

If you are travelling to Malta, pre-booking your airport taxi transfers with eCabs means reliability, convenience, professionalism, cost-effectiveness, safety, and comfort.

The easiest way to do that is to use the eCabs Passenger App which you can download for iOS and Android.

Through the eCabs App, while you are waiting for the driver to arrive, you will be able to see precisely how far away they are, as well as the driver and car type/registration number.

You can even call the driver straight from your App, and, if you enter your flight details when booking one of our cabs, we will track your flight to make sure you are on time.

Cab bookings in Malta are very well priced, especially from a ride-hailing app. When using the eCabs App, you can choose to pay by Apple Pay, Google Pay, bank card or cash.

There are various different car types that you can choose from, depending on whether you are travelling alone or in a group, and how much luggage you have.

If you would prefer to book an eCabs as soon as you land, you can do that too. Nowadays pick-ups are so fast that ASAP bookings are just as reliable in Malta, with average pick-up times hovering around five minutes.

And when your holiday or business trip is over, eCabs will pick you up right behind your door. So you can enjoy a comfortable, safe ride to the airport.

Apart from the App, you can also book online.

24/7 Customer Service

eCabs is the only ride-hailing service in Malta which offers 24/7 customer service via its manned Support Centre which can be also be contacted by telephone on the eCabs number +356 21 383838.

Find out more about our airport transfers