The traditional approach in public transport planning was to collect travel demand data for a more extended period and compose timetables to serve this demand. There are two significant identifiable issues. In the rural areas and off-peak hours, public transport operators provide much more capacities than needed. On the other hand, more capacities than scheduled are needed on certain lines at certain departures on some sporadically occurring occasions. The problem is how to react to short-term changes (daily) triggered by exceptional circumstances and events and midterm changes (weekly, monthly basis) in travel demand. We can trigger changes in travel demand chiefly by introducing a desirable (almost for free) tariff system applied to specific populations. No long-term travel response data exists for this kind of intervention, but an immediate response in public transport supply is needed. In Slovenia, public transport for free for the whole population over 65 years was introduced. With the modern ticketing system, which was designed to be as simple as possible for users (that means »check-in only« at the moment of boarding), the research task was to analyze the travel behavior of the retired population, faced with a new attractive option to travel, based on data of purchased tickets and their afterward validation, for better mid-and long-term planning. Our study finds that ITS technology (in this case, e-ticketing system) can satisfactorily solve the discussed planning and management task.

Fast-charging sites for electric buses create short-duration high-power demand that can increase grid-capacity requirements and operating costs. This paper assesses the economic performance of second-life battery energy storage systems (BESS) at an operational electric-bus fast-charging site in Maribor, Slovenia. Using measured charging-demand data, this study compares baseline operation with three implementation scenarios: a small-scale BESS, a full-scale BESS, and a full-scale BESS integrated with photovoltaic (PV) generation. A 12-year scenario-based cost–benefit assessment (CBA) considers investment, grid-electricity, and operation and maintenance costs under the applicable network tariff. The results show that BESS-only configurations are not economically justified under the analysed conditions. Importantly, even a substantial temporary reduction in grid demand from approximately 150 kW to 60 kW produces only limited cost savings, demonstrating that technically effective peak shaving does not necessarily translate into economic viability. The strongest economic performance is achieved by combining BESS with the annual-demand-matched 92.4 kWp PV system, which substantially reduces annual grid-electricity demand and operating costs. Nevertheless, this configuration does not reach break-even within the 12-year assessment period; under the reference assumption of a 5% annual increase in grid-electricity costs, extrapolation indicates break-even in approximately year 18. The findings demonstrate that the economic value of second-life BESS at fast-charging sites depends not only on peak-shaving capability but on its interaction with tariff structure, grid conditions, and local renewable generation.

Public transport (PT) systems are vital to society, providing access to goods, services, and opportunities. However, the construction, maintenance, and decommissioning of PT assets contribute to carbon emissions, resource depletion, and ecological disruption. The CE4CE (Circular Economy for Central Europe) project addresses this by promoting a shift from a linear to a circular model using the “Avoid-Extend-Transform-Enable” life-cycle framework. This framework has been applied to develop three strategies focused on rolling stock, infrastructure, and energy, based on consultations with public transport operators (PTOs) from Central Europe and beyond. These three strategies serve as the foundation for localized, stakeholder-aligned action plans in Leipzig, Bergamo, Gdynia, and Maribor. This paper provides a concise overview of these strategies, covering: 1) the application of the life-cycle thinking framework to each pillar; 2) a status quo analysis of circularity integration in PT systems; 3) a catalogue of practical cases for implementing circularity; and 4) a set of tailored indicators for monitoring and measuring impact. The paper also discusses how these strategies have been adapted into action plans, supporting the transition from isolated initiatives to more strategic, life-cycle-oriented approach in PT, with a greater focus on resource efficiency and a significant reduction in ecological impacts.

Fare-free public transport policies are widely implemented to improve accessibility for older adults, yet their effects vary across spatial contexts. Population ageing further increases the need for accessible mobility, while intelligent transport systems (ITS) enable the use of large-scale operational data for evidence-based transport planning. This study examines the determinants of fare-free public transport demand using nationwide smart-card validation data from Slovenia, where free travel for residents aged 65 and over was introduced in 2020. The analysis combines IJPP smart-card data with selected socio-economic, service-level and spatial indicators and applies bivariate correlation and regression analysis at the regional level. The results reveal substantial regional variation in demand intensity. Service availability shows the strongest positive association with usage, while car ownership exhibits a moderate negative relationship. In contrast, economic indicators and population density show limited explanatory power. These findings indicate that differences in realised demand are primarily shaped by service and accessibility conditions rather than pricing alone. The study highlights the importance of integrating fare policies with service provision when planning mobility systems in ageing societies.