Comparative Analysis of the Economic Sustainability of Transport Systems Served by Alternative and Conventional Buses and Coaches

Abstract

Today’s economic and social environment faces several problems and challenges (e.g. energy crisis, inflation, environmental protection), most of which interact with the transport system in two directions. Researchers and relevant organisations have developed several proposals and action plans to mitigate the ‘problem cloud’ for each mobility subsystem, but these tend to focus on a technological, economic or industrial solution rather than a complex one. This includes subsidising the purchase and operation of electric vehicles, encouraging the use of public transport, and developing soft modes of transport. This study develops a multi-layered, complex, cost-oriented methodology to increase the sustainability and economic stability of local and interurban bus and coach public transport. The methodology based on the main technical and operational (maintenance, energy use and storage) parameters of different conventional and alternative propulsion vehicles, as well as on the available forms of financing, taking into account discount rates. The procedure developed will be illustrated with examples from Hungarian cities. The unit costs per kilometre of the different propulsion systems will be examined. The method can be used to determine the most economically efficient and sustainable choice of vehicle propulsion for the public transport service provider, and to obtain a realistic picture of unit costs.