All the blogs and articles to do with e-scooters and their impact on mobility on the eCabs website will fall under this tag.

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What is multimodal commuting and why is it important

What is multimodal commuting and why is it important?

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In this blog, we will explore the concept of multimodal commuting. We will also ask why more people should adopt this model in the near future, to enhance convenience, efficiency, and sustainability.

Multimodality is the use of multiple types of transport. These include walking, cycling, public transport, ride-hailing, and carpooling, which can be used to reach your destination.

With multimodal commuting, you can choose the type of transport method that is most convenient for you in any particular situation.

Multimodal commuting has a number of benefits, including less need for a private vehicle and reduced traffic congestion. It can also lead to decreased emissions, improved physical health, and increased flexibility.

Some of the most common modes of transportation used in multimodal commuting include:

  • Walking.
  • Cycling.
  • Public transportation, such as buses or trains.
  • Ferries.
  • Ride-hailing and taxi services, such as eCabs.
  • Carpooling with friends or colleagues.
  • Electric scooters or bikes.

How can multimodality improve our daily life?

Having the choice of which mode of transport you can use can improve your wellbeing.

For instance, by choosing to walk or cycle for shorter distances, you can contribute to a healthier lifestyle.

As an added bonus, multimodality can be more affordable than owning a private car. This often makes it a win-win situation.

It’s also easy to plan. The use of apps and real-time transit information is on the rise. This makes coordinating multimodal trips easier than ever before, providing you with peace of mind and a smooth journey.

What are some advantages of multimodal transport?

You may choose to use transport services such as trains for long distances. Ride-hailing, taxis or public transport would be ideal for medium distances. A bicycle, scooter, or even your own two feet, would be the perfect alternative for shorter journeys.

  • Efficiency – Using modes of transportation other than the private car can help reduce road congestion on the roads. This may lead to less fuel consumption, air pollution, reducing the carbon footprint, and so on.
  • Cost – Transport systems such as walking, cycling and using e-scooters are far less expensive than using a private car. Additionally, they are much more environmentally friendly.
  • Flexibility – Multimodal transport gives you the opportunity to select from a variety of transportation options when planning your journey. You can choose from buses, trains, cars, planes, and more to make your trip as convenient as possible.

Power to the people

It is a fact that most cities have been designed for cars.

With the concept of multimodality, you have streets which are designed for and serve people first, with their safety in mind.

This includes children, the elderly, all walkers, and those who ride a bicycle.

Many millennials and Gen Zs are happy to use various different ways of getting around, so multimodality is perfect for them.

Additionally, it can also help those with limited mobility. There are also some people who simply may not want to – or be comfortable – with driving themselves.

Finally, multimodality can be beneficial to those who simply cannot afford a private car.

By incorporating various modes of transportation, you can tailor your commute to fit your specific needs. This could be a short walk to a nearby bus stop or a bike ride to a train station.

This flexibility provides an opportunity to avoid traffic congestion, reduce travel time, and minimise the stress associated with commuting.

Multimodal commuting is environmentally friendly

From an environmental standpoint, it is definitely beneficial to get people to ditch their private car.

Using a more sustainable way of travelling can play a crucial role in reducing the environmental impact of transportation.

Lessening our dependence on private vehicles can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. We can do this by using modes of transportation such as cycling, walking, ride-sharing, and public transportation.

As we have seen, multimodal commuting has many benefits. It helps individuals, builds greener and more sustainable cities, and addresses climate change. This ultimately promotes a healthier environment for everyone.

Multimodality has the possibility to shape society and travel as we know it.

It is about time that we embraced it.

Why eCabs believes in multimodality
How to travel sustainably and help save the planet

How to travel sustainably and help save the planet

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The worldwide travel sector accounts for about eight percent of global carbon emissions. There are ways to travel sustainably and help the environment, and we need to make a difference.

What is sustainable travel?

As awareness of climate change intensifies, people are becoming more informed and concerned about the negative impact of travel.

They are consequently more willing to make a change to their usual travel habits. And they tend to choose more eco-friendly options, in aid of more sustainable travel.

One approach which is gaining traction is the concept of ‘slow travel’. This means that travel should be based on a connection to the local culture, people, and food of the place you are visiting. It also advocates less frequent but longer trips.

Moreover, it also entails travelling by more sustainable means, such as trains instead of planes, for instance.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, people started looking at travel in a different way. Perhaps there is a way of travelling more responsibly in the future, while reducing our carbon footprint.

What is a carbon footprint?

A carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gasses that a company or individual emits. These emissions have a detrimental effect on the environment.

They make the temperature of the planet go up, which results in various effects. These include the rising of sea levels and ice caps melting, as well as the increase of natural disasters such as floods, extreme heat, and hurricanes.

Travel sustainably by making the right choices

There are various ways that you can reduce your carbon footprint by making smarter choices and travelling more sustainably. This can be done in a number of ways, such as using public transport or walking/cycling instead of driving.

  • When travelling short distances, try to avoid using air travel. Trains and ferries have a smaller carbon footprint than planes.
  • Walk when at all possible, especially short distances.
  • Use public transport if possible.
  • Try to use multimodality options such as bicycles, taxi services, electric scooters, e-bikes and even ferries.
  • When booking a ride-hailing or taxi service, choose the ‘green‘ or ‘Eco‘ option.

Reduce your carbon footprint when travelling by air

If you have no choice but to travel by air, it’s important to consider the environmental impact of your flights. One way to do this is to choose airlines that are committed to reducing their carbon emissions.

Many airlines now offer ‘carbon offset programmes’, where passengers can pay a fee to offset the emissions generated by their flight.

This money is then used to fund projects that help reduce carbon emissions, such as reforestation or renewable energy projects.

Apart from airlines, other companies offer carbon offset programmes, which help to fund projects that help reduce carbon emissions.

These projects can include reforestation or renewable energy projects, for instance. This is another relatively ‘easy’ way to help mitigate the environmental impact of your travel.

Choose sustainable accommodation

When choosing where to stay, try eco-friendly hotels or guesthouses. These kinds of establishments are designed to minimise their environmental impact, for example, by using renewable energy sources, reducing water usage, recycling and energy efficient lighting measures.

Choosing to stay in smaller, locally-owned accommodations can have a positive impact on the local economy.

Another way to be more eco-friendly is to limit the use of air conditioning in your accommodation, as well as to be mindful about the amount of water you use when abroad. It might be a small thing to you but the energy savings can be quite substantial.

Reduce waste when travelling

Reducing waste is an important part of sustainable travel. When travelling, try to avoid using single-use plastics and instead take a reusable water bottle, coffee cup, and shopping bag.

Additionally, try to choose products with minimal packaging and dispose of waste properly, using recycling facilities where possible.

Give your support to local communities and businesses

Supporting local businesses and communities can have a positive impact on the environment and the local economy. Try to eat at local restaurants that use local and seasonal produce, and buy souvenirs from local artisans.

Go for sustainable activities

When planning your travel, choose activities that have a minimal environmental impact, such as hiking and cycling.

These are great ways to enjoy the natural environment while lessening your impact on it. You could also choose to visit places such as national parks and protected areas.

These kinds of locations often have strong commitment to sustainable tourism.

By following these tips for travelling sustainably, you can help reduce your carbon footprint while still enjoying all that travel has to offer.

How to travel sustainably with us

Through its cutting-edge tech solutions, eCabs Technologies has given incentives to its drivers to opt for more environmentally-friendly vehicles by charging them a lower commission rate on the rides they perform, to encourage them to move to a more more eco-friendly solution.

To determine the commercial and operational feasibility of an all-electric fleet, it launched a pilot research project that involved testing various all-electric car brands in a 24/7 operational context.

The aim was to collect data that would shed light on the viability of using electric vehicles in such an environment.

When booking a taxi with eCabs, one can request the Eco category. This category is made up of 100 percent electric or hybrid vehicles, ensuring a ‘cleaner’ journey. Eco ride prices on the platform are at par with the lowest rides among all available options. 

eCabs’ own fleet is also leading the way into a more eco-friendly future by setting into motion an ambitious project for more sustainable travel which will see it run completely on green vehicles in the near future.

How are ride-hailing companies part of the solution?
eCabs e-scooters

“E-scooters are part of the mobility future of this country”

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By Matthew Bezzina, eCabs CEO

E-scooters are part of the mobility future of Malta and their role is set to become even bigger.

Some may think that e-scooters are a competitor to the cab industry. Unfortunately this is a typical myopic perspective advocated by those who believe in protectionism rather than the dynamics of an open and modern economy.

Our mission has always been to provide an alternative, sustainable and effective means of transport other than the private car. The private car is increasingly becoming a heavy and expensive burden on our infrastructure.

The average person makes around 3.3 trips a day. A good percentage of these trips are done using a private car. Which 95% of the time is lying idle and parked but still occupying space on the roads for free. In today’s terms this translates to prime space that comes at a high premium.

If only one considers the opportunity cost of time and space, it is already enough reason to understand that a private car equates to a lot of missed opportunities.

Therefore, it goes without saying that as a company committed to promoting alternative mobility means other than private cars, we’re four-square behind the widespread use of e-scooters.

It is commendable that the authority has acted fast to regulate the use of e-scooters. And not to allow the law of the jungle to prevail in such a sensitive domain. A modern country deserves a responsive regulatory environment and certainly doesn’t afford gaps which could jeopardise the safety of drivers and the public.

Proper enforcement of E-scooters in Malta is key

The first issue that we need to consider is that of risk. Space in Malta is limited. Our road network is one of the densest networks in the world. Most streets are narrow, and two thirds of these streets are taken by the road. Not to mention that a large portion is taken by parking spaces for idle cars. And the very little remaining space has to be shared between pedestrians, bicycles and now e-scooters. This limited space that has to be shared means increased risk for all road users.

The only way to manage this risk is through proper enforcement and this is why the proposed regulation is a step in the right direction towards ensuring that the service can grow in a sustainable way.

Finally, it is in everyone’s interest that e-scooters in Malta operate safely and without endangering other road users. The authorities need to make sure that the right legislation is in place so that all stakeholders are protected. Only proper and responsible monitoring can contribute towards the service to grow organically.

If we just consider accessibility, the use of an e-scooter makes it an ideal fit to any multi-modal pattern of commuting. Someone on an e-scooter can easily ride a bus, board a ferry and yes why not, even call an eCab and travel with his e-scooter. We will go the extra-mile to send e-scooter riders a cab that makes the commute with their e-scooter an easier and more fulfilling experience!

E-scooters have an important role to play in Malta. And as the ongoing quest for better and more efficient mobility continues, their role is set to become even bigger