Navigating electrification in public transport: the role of public transport authorities

The transition to electric buses involves a shift in public transport systems, requiring changes to the role of public transport authorities (PTAs). This study analyses how PTAs' role as planners and procurers of public transport is impacted by electrification, employing a sustainability transition perspective. Through thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 25 interviewees involved in eight public procurements, both qualitative and quantitative changes were identified. The findings show that the organisational model influences how electrification changes the role and responsibilities of PTAs, as new technology alters established procurement logics and the reinterpretation of procurement principles. Additionally, this transition necessitates changes in long-term strategic planning, including adjustments in ownership structures and the distribution of responsibilities. The emergence and assessment of new questions and phenomena, for example, regarding battery production and sustainability, further change the role of the PTA. The rapid pace of this technological change challenges PTAs' ability to proactively manage developments, creating a dynamic where PTAs both take on new responsibilities and react to market changes. This study highlights the emerging tensions between PTAs' procurement principles and long-term planning objectives, calling attention to the need for a balanced approach to manage their evolving assignments effectively in the face of new technology.