Willingness to Shift towards Biogas-fueled Bus Rapid Transit in Karachi, Pakistan

Traffic-related environmental pollution has emerged as a concerning issue due to the increasing number of privately owned vehicles. To encourage environmentally friendly mobility, a biogas-fueled bus rapid transit (BRT) has been implemented in Karachi, Pakistan. Nevertheless, the success of the BRT system depends on effectively attracting travelers to adopt this new mode of transportation. Thus, this study explores the factors affecting the public willingness to shift to the biogas-fueled BRT by applying the push-pull-mooring theory framework. A disjoint reflective-reflective second-order model was developed using the structural equation modeling technique. This study found that push factor (perceived inconvenience and perceived environmental threat), pull factor (green transport policies, biogas-fueled BRT system, and subjective norms), Mooring (inertia), and media influence (social media influence and traditional media influence) are the factors directly or indirectly affecting the willingness to shift towards biogas-fueled BRT in Karachi, Pakistan. This study sheds light on the importance of designing green transport policies and green infrastructure, developing positive subjective norms about biogas-fueled BRT, and enhancing a sense of convenience traveling through biogas-fueled BRT. Additionally, the study suggests that disseminating awareness about environmental threats and managerial applications to discourage using privately owned vehicles will help shift people toward biogas-fueled BRT.