Abstract
The development of public transport systems is related to the implementation of modern and low-carbon vehicles. Over the last several years, there has been a clear progress in this field. The number of electric buses has increased, and the first solutions in the area of hydrogen fuel cells have been implemented. Unfortunately, the implementation of these technologies is connected with significant financial expenditure. The goal of the article is the analysis of effectiveness of financial investment, consisting in the purchase of 30 new public transport buses (together with the necessary infrastructure–charging stations). The analysis has been performed using the NPV method for the period of 10 years. Discount rate was determined on 4%, as recommended by the European Commission for this type of project. It is based on the case study of the investment project carried out by Metropolis GZM in Poland. The article determines and compares the efficiency ratios for three investment options-purchase of diesel-powered, battery-powered, and hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles. The results of the analysis indicate that the currently high costs of vehicle purchase and charging infrastructure are a significant barrier for the implementation of battery-powered and hydrogen fuel-cell buses. In order to meet the transport policy goals related to the exchange of traditional bus stock to more eco-friendly vehicles, it is necessary to involve public funds for the purpose of financing the investment activities.
Highlights
IntroductionIt is one of the tools for sustaining urban mobility as an alternative to car transport, especially in home-work-home travel
In order to proceed with the financial analysis, there was used an example of an investment project executed by the Metropolis GZM, which is the organizer of the public transport on the metropolitan area associating 41 municipalities located in the Silesian voivodeship
Due to the requirements specified in Art. 68(4) of the Act of 11 January 2018 on electromobility and alternative fuels, public transport operators must provide an appropriate number of low-carbon or zero emission buses within the deadline specified in the legal regulations
Summary
It is one of the tools for sustaining urban mobility as an alternative to car transport, especially in home-work-home travel. It has important social functions, enabling comfortable and relatively cheap movement of inhabitants, including the elderly, the disabled, and low-income individuals [1]. Research shows that in the case of elderly people who have lost the possibility or will to drive a car themselves, public transport is the only opportunity to maintain an active lifestyle and social relationships [2,3,4,5,6]. Public transport provides an opportunity to move for low-income individuals and the unemployed.
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