Public perceptions and acceptance of electric buses among urban residents in Poland

Electrification of the bus fleet is a key element in the transformation of transportation systems in many cities worldwide. This process involves significant investments in both vehicles and infrastructure. Given the funding mechanisms of public transportation systems, it is crucial that investments in electric buses receive broad public support. In the context of achieving sustainable development goals, increasing the share of public transport at the expense of individual car travel is particularly important. To facilitate this shift, it is essential that city residents perceive the benefits of using electric buses compared to conventional vehicles. The aim of this study is to assess public perceptions of bus fleet electrification and determine the level of support for this process. The analysis considers both indirect support, reflected in the acceptance of municipal investments in electric vehicles, and direct support, measured by the willingness to bear higher travel costs for electric bus services. The results show that residents of large Polish cities perceive electric buses as significantly more environmentally friendly, quieter, more comfortable, and more modern than diesel-powered buses, while rating both vehicle types similarly in terms of reliability. The experience of traveling by electric buses has a positive effect on the evaluation of these attributes . Respondents expressed a moderately high level of indirect support for electric buses investments, yet their willingness to accept higher ticket prices was lower. Weak but positive correlations were observed between willingness to pay more and higher ratings of electric buses features, particularly reliability, comfort, and environmental impact. In addition, the experience of traveling by electric buses was positively associated with expectations that cities should continue to invest in such vehicles but not with willingness to pay higher fares. Furthermore, frequent public transport users were significantly less likely to be indifferent to the type of bus they use, suggesting that the strongest supporters of electric buses are those who benefit from them in daily travel. These findings provide empirical insights into the determinants of public acceptance of BEB investments and highlight the importance of both experiential factors and perceived vehicle attributes in shaping societal support for zero-emission public transport.