Vacationers Are Exploring Multimodal Transportation and Everything Is About to Be Different

Adam Lubinsky is a typical example of multimodal transport. As he traveled from Brooklyn to his office in Manhattan, he effortlessly switched from a modified electric folding bike to the subway. “This allows me to ride my bike directly from home to the office or the regional airport,” he said

Lubinsky is the head of design firm WXY Studio. Recently, he discovered that he is no longer the only one who owns a folding bike or does multimodal activities. Leisure travelers have also jumped on the bandwagon.

A new survey from Enterprise UK. It was found that more than a third of leisure travelers are already using intermodal travel options. The survey also found that 42% of business travelers want better intermodal transportation options for work travel.

Oz Choudhri, Head of Mobile Solutions UK and Ireland at Enterprise, said: “This new study highlights the huge opportunities now for the creation and growth of the shared mobile ecosystem. ”

The new Allianz Travel Insurance Company study is similar to Enterprise’s study in the United States. Overall, two in ten travelers （20%） book multiple modes of transportation, including personal, rental and leisure vehicles in addition to flights, cruises, and train or bus travel.

Daniel Durazo, a spokesman for Allianz, said:”We have found that some Americans have chosen a combination of different modes of transport this year to meet their summer travel needs. ”

Reality check: Intermodal transport has been around since the invention of the wheel, and has been for a long time. But the idea of combining rental cars, trains, and even e-scooters to get you to your destination faster is relatively new. Being able to do all of this with one app is only now starting to be favored by leisure travelers. Experts say this is the future of transportation.

Why do leisure travelers choose multimodal transport?

“Being able to choose between different transport options and modes allows us to prioritise our values,” says Francesco Maria Cerroni, Head of Intermodal Transport at Buro Happold Research. “The main goal of multimodal transport is to reduce travel time,” he said. But there are many other benefits, including energy consumption and saving money. Saving money may be one of the reasons many leisure travelers consider multimodal ground transportation options.”

Companies are responding to demand. This is especially true for car rental companies, which are adjusting their fleets and adding new rental options. Pallavi Sadekar, Head of VisitorGuard.com Operations, explains: “This could include offering a wider range of vehicle types to meet the needs of different travellers, incorporating more sustainable options, and finding ways to better integrate with other modes of transport. ”

How can leisure travellers choose multimodal transport?

Intermodal ground transportation is a concept that some of the most advanced travel companies and travelers have recently embraced as such. Take Jennifer Donati’s customers, for example, who recently embarked on a tour of Switzerland that included a lot of multimodal transport.

“Multimodal transport allows customers to easily explore the various regions of the country in just 5 days: Zurich, Lucerne, Bern, Interlaken and Montreux,” says Donati, Travel Consultant at OvationNetwork.

While many providers have embraced this new trend, Donati says planning multimodal travel is still not easy. “The schedule required extra effort on my part, and I had to time the car rental and train just right,” she recalls. “Switzerland’s terrain lends itself to multimodal transport, and it’s the best way to get around the country.”

Europe seems to be at the center of the multimodal transport revolution. Nicole Cueto, a travel consultant at Fora Travel, said she sees more and more travelers choosing a number of different travel options, including car hire, bicycles, buses and trains.

“For example, this summer, instead of traveling to Europe strictly by plane and car, I had a couple who really wanted to see more of the countryside and enjoy the trip to Europe, so they opted to travel part of the time by train through the Italian countryside, as well as take a ferry from Corfu to Albania instead of flying directly to Albania,” she said. “Multimodal transport allows people to see more and avoid troubles like airport delays and security.”

What are the options for intermodal travelers?

Car rental companies have stepped up their efforts to intermodal transport. For example, Enterprise has an extensive network of branches and vehicles to ensure that people have access to low- and zero-emission vehicles when they need them.

The company recently partnered with GO-HI in the Scottish Highlands and rural island areas. Using the GO-HI app, customers can book Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Enterprise Car Club vehicles, as well as access a range of other shared transportation options in the area. The app provides information about buses, trains, taxis, car rentals, car clubs, bike rentals, air travel, and ferries, allowing users to plan their journeys through a single app. It also allows users to plan, book, and pay for trips using different modes of transportation on one app.

Lisa Martini, spokesperson for Enterprise, said: “Our experience and expertise enable us to adopt personalized, shared mobility solutions to meet the needs of consumers and businesses. ”

The company also operates Enterprise CarShare, a membership-based mobility alternative that allows businesses to automate transportation by replacing aging fleets. In markets such as the Greater Toronto Area, hundreds of Enterprise CarShare vehicles are serving travelers in more than 25 communities.

Companies such as German car rental company Myonecar have even incorporated multimodal transport into their business models. “For example, our customers take a train to the nearest station and then use an electric scooter to complete the last mile to our rental office,” said Michael Stalf, CEO of Myonecar. “Then they rented a car from us and continued their journey.”

Don’t forget carpooling, which is always a popular choice for leisure travelers.

What if you want to choose intermodal transport on your next trip?

Remember Donati, a travel consultant planning a trip to Switzerland? She made an important point. Planning multimodal travel is not easy at the moment, even if you are in a forward-thinking country like Switzerland. You most likely won’t be able to plan everything on a single app – you’ll need to consult train schedules and get bike rentals from other sources. Even in Switzerland, multimodal transport is rarely seamless.

Cast a wide net

Many municipalities and private companies are accepting multimodal transport. In addition to car rental companies, try connecting to regional public transport networks. For example, the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) offers a variety of intermodal travel options, including trains, buses, and cars.

Go to places with multimodal transport options

Many urban areas in the United States, such as New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., have well-developed public transportation networks. Some states, notably Tennessee, have adopted broad policies that encourage the use of multimodal transport. Even cities like Los Angeles, which for years have not had viable public transportation, are starting to take action. (Check out the latest roadmap for where to go.) ）

Improvise to get to your destination faster

For most domestic travelers, multimodal transport options are still scarce. But with a little improvisation, you can reach your destination with car rental companies, ridesharing, and public transportation. Sometimes the key to effective improvisation is working with a travel professional who knows how to make connections.

What other types of changes can you expect? Travelers should expect it to become easier to rent a car in the era of multimodal transport. Peter Vlitas, Executive Vice President, Partnerships, Internova Travel Group, said: “Car rental companies such as Enterprise and Hertz have made it possible to seamlessly walk to the rental point and drive away. ”

For travel, the future is multimodal transport

This is just the beginning. Tourism experts say multimodal transport is the future of tourism. Jamie Wortley, Senior Vice President for Communications and Communications at the World Travel Council, said: “By combining air, rail, bus and cycle routes, we can create accessible and sustainable travel solutions. ”

Waterley said governments are investing in multimodal travel options, such as expanding bus and rail lines. Travelers are noticing this – and even if they haven’t noticed it yet, they’ll notice it soon.