Case Study and Cost-Benefit Analysis of Introducing Sustainable Public Transport Solutions: Electric Buses in Jastrebarsko

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis comparing the implementation of electric and diesel buses for public transport services in the City of Jastrebarsko in Croatia. It utilizes a multidimensional approach and incorporates direct and indirect costs, such as vehicle acquisition, operation, charging, maintenance, and environmental impact costs during the lifecycle of the buses. The results show that, despite the higher initial investment in electric buses, these vehicles offer substantial savings, especially when coupled with significantly reduced emissions of pollutants, which decreases indirect costs. The paper utilizes a robust methodological framework, integrating a proposal based on real-world data and demand and combining it with predictive analytics to forecast long-term benefits. The findings of the paper support the introduction of electric buses as a sustainable solution for Jastrebarsko, which provides valuable insights for public transport planners, urban planners and policymakers. This analysis contributes to other growing evidence that electric buses are a cost-effective and sustainable public transport solution in rural areas.