Collaborative Mobility UK (CoMoUK) published guidance which showed how mobility hubs could be introduced in various settings across Scotland, with a feasibility study carried out for each.

The shared transport charity has drawn up and costed plans for five types of mobility hub to answer key questions about their design and delivery. 

Mobility hubs bring together shared, public and active travel modes, along with community facilities, and redesign and reallocate space away from the private car. They are used in many cities across Europe and North America and are increasingly spreading in the UK. The hubs can take several different forms, ranging from larger interchanges in busy city centres to mini stations which are tailored to suburban or rural areas.
 
CoMoUK has also developed a cohesive set of standards for assessing the quality of mobility hubs. These focus on six key factors:

• Visibility and accessibility – hubs must be identifiable as part of the transport network, and accessible to all
• Choice of sustainable modes – including public and shared modes, with consideration of pedestrians
• Ease of switching between modes – this link should apply in both physical and digital terms
• Ensuring traveller safety is a key priority
• The design should include non-transport practical facilities
• Visual, social and community appeal to enhance the local area

Mark Dowey, senior development officer (built environment) at CoMoUK, said:

“Mobility hubs increase transport links, improve public health, bring economic benefits to the local community and save people money. They can help to reduce congestion and allow for the revitalisation of cities and towns by reclaiming space from the private care. Mobility hubs are already popular and delivering widespread benefits in countries including Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and the USA. They extend the appeal of public, shared and active transport modes by facilitating access to them over the ‘first and last mile’ of people’s journeys."