Evolution and challenges of sustainable public transport in medium-sized cities

Public transport in medium-sized cities is crucial for ensuring the mobility of their inhabitants despite lower resources and population density. These cities struggle with increasing communication demands due to suburbanisation and changing demographics. Public transport must connect urban and suburban areas, providing access to services and jobs. The challenge is the decline in passenger numbers, partly due to the increasing popularity of individual transport. The paper aims to identify the conditions for the development of public transport in medium-sized cities in Poland and the conditions and challenges for its sustainable development. The research method used was a case study based on the example of Kalisz, a medium-sized Polish city in Greater Poland. As a result of the research conducted, the situation in the city was diagnosed, including a decline in the number of public transport passengers, and the actions taken and planned by the local government were analysed, such as the introduction of free public transport for residents, the modernisation of the bus fleet, including the purchase of electric vehicles, the integration of public transport with suburban areas. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; SDG 13: Climate Action; SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities