German moovel Group heats up the already sizzling Helsinki smart mobility scene, as it is currently piloting its mobile transportation application here. Utilizing open data provided by Helsinki Region Transport (HSL), moovel helps users choose the best travel options from public transportation and Uber.
Daimler-owned moovel Group started piloting its Mobility-as-a-Service application in the Helsinki area in the second half of 2016. The company has developed a new version of the moovel app together with Helsinki residents in a Facebook beta testing group. The feedback from the Facebook community has helped moovel add new features to the app, for example a notification of when to exit a vehicle – a very useful feature in Helsinki public transportation, as many vehicles don’t have real-time route displays.
In addition to this valuable feature, the app includes arrival times, trip planning with search functionality, real-time transit data, information on nearby stops and routes, favorite destinations and lines, as well as departure monitoring for chosen lines and stops. It is based on real-time open data provided by Helsinki Region Transport (HSL).
“We are constantly working on simplifying urban mobility to make commuting as comfortable as possible for our users and to improve the quality of their lives,” says Jörg Lamparter, CEO of moovel Group.
Open data attracted the company to Helsinki
moovel Group launched its first mobile app in Germany in 2015, as a “one-stop-shop” for urban mobility. The moovel app in Germany combines public transportation, car-sharing provider car2go, Taxi App mytaxi, as well as rental bikes. Most services can be booked and paid directly in the app. The company also offers a white label mobile ticketing solution for public transportation operators worldwide. In 2016, moovel Group decided to pilot and develop a new version of its mobile app – in Helsinki.
“Helsinki is a very innovative and interesting place for us because both the capital area and Finland in general are at the forefront of transit services, especially when it comes to their open data policy. We are very excited to operate the moovel application as a useful travel companion here,” says Jörg Lamparter.
According to the moovel team, Helsinki Business Hub helped smooth the company’s way to Helsinki and has been a great partner to help understand and enter the market. Helsinki Business Hub has also supported moovel in finding other local partners, like a Finnish PR and marketing agency.
moovel does not wish to disclose its future plans for Helsinki and Finland, but it is keeping a close eye on the development of Finnish transportation and the discussion on transportation regulation.
The free moovel app is available in App Store and Google Play.
moovel
- Founded: 2015
- Industry: Mobility-as-a-Service solutions
- Locations: Stuttgart, Hamburg, Berlin, Portland (U.S.)
- Number of employees: 130 in Germany, 110 in the United States
- Website: moovel.com/intl/fi
Text: Anu Jussila
