Planners FAQs

Mobility hubs have many benefits such as providing a more convenient, comfortable, and safer environment to access a range of sustainable modes. They help to raise the profile of shared mobility services to boost utilisation and viability. In addition, they support low car lifestyles and the reallocation of space from car parking to housing or public realm improvements. In transport planning terms, a mobility hub supports the user to get out the car and engage in low carbon transport alternatives.

CoMoUK has several guidance documents for mobility hubs. For an initial overview, we recommend starting with An Introduction to Mobility Hubs for Planners and Developers in Scotland.

Funding options are varied and complex. CoMoUK’s Mobility Hubs Toolkit provides an up-to-date list of funding options on page 16. This list is by no means exhaustive, but should serve as a good starting point when seeking support for funding.

CoMoUK have produced a comprehensive guide to making a business case for your mobility hub: Mobility hub delivery models. The subject is also covered on pages 13 -16 of CoMoUK’s Mobility Hubs Toolkit.

The CoMoUK Mobility Hub accreditation scheme places an importance on the mobility hub being unified to support an integrated shared transport experience.

The key components are determined by the spatial location of the hub and the community it serves. The CoMoUK Mobility Hub accreditation scheme document goes into depth as to the key components of the various types of hubs that could be delivered.

It is assumed that most mobility hubs will connect with at least one form of public transport, such as a rail link or bus service, dependent on location. This is on a ‘first and last’ mile basis. In rural areas the bus service may be replaced by Digital Demand Responsive Transport such as a mini-bus service.

Dependant on scale and location, a mobility hub will need power, drainage and perhaps water. CoMoUK have yet to see micro-renewables utilised for mobility hubs but believe that this will be a future step in mobility hub implementation.

Data-driven analysis and qualitative community consultation are pivotal in establishing ‘best’ location for a mobility hub. This work is best undertaken by planners within the LDP or Local Mobility Plan. Where community groups seek to establish a mobility hub, qualitative analysis of the proposed location by survey should be used to establish if the location best serves the purpose of the hub.

CoMoUK display an up-to-date list of the accredited shared transport operators online.

A number of UK and European case studies can be found in CoMoUK’s Mobility Hubs Toolkit.

CoMoUK have a dedicated development officer working with communities in Scotland to support community-led shared transport infrastructure. CoMoUK can offer support and advice to those communities setting up and running shared bike and car schemes and delivering mobility hubs. To find out more and enquire about how we can help you, please get in touch through scotland@como.org.uk. Alternatively, please direct interested parties to our website to begin their shared transport journey.