Booking and Payment Integration of Air- and Public Transport for First/Last Mile Airport Trips

Abstract

In this research, the link between air travel and the first/last mile trip with public transportation will be researched, as in practice, ticket platforms (such as Booking.com or Expedia) do not yet provide this integrated air- and public transport service. Eventually, the idea would be to create an integration platform that serves as a mediator to integrate booking and payment of air- and public transport tickets. As a result, travellers normally booking an airline ticket for airport-to-airport travel, would then be able to buy an integrated ticket involving air- and public transport for travelling from origin to end destination. This research therefore has used methods to judge the feasibility and desirability for this idea, namely a literature review regarding this topic, desk researches, a survey for travel preferences regarding this integration, a stakeholder analysis, and interviews with potential linked parties and governance experts. Eventually the end goal is coming up with a conceptual framework that shows the most important factors regarding the feasibility and desirability of this integration platform, and a business model canvas. It can be said that integrating booking and payment of air- and public transport tickets can be feasible and that certain (shares of) parties think it is or find it desirable. However, the conceptual framework and business model canvas displayed a high amount of important factors, which mostly need to fall into place at the same time. Results of the survey indicated positive reactions, but the question will still be if in reality this interest from potential users will play out. Also, technological developments regarding payment in public transportation can jeopardise this initiative. All in all, risks of this integration platform for potential initiators are not excluded.