This paper addresses a research (specifically conceptual) gap in socio-technical transitions literature on transport decarbonization: namely, a lack of attention to the state as a defining and constitutive element of any system-wide transition processes.

Adopting an explicitly interdisciplinary approach, it develops a conceptual framework that places the state and relations between it and key transportation actors as critical for understanding the dynamics of low-carbon public transport transformations. In so doing, it articulates two political economic dimensions that offer a more relational view of the nature and role of the state in transitions. These are firstly, an historical understanding of state approaches to transition interventions and regulation, and secondly the multiple sites and forms of power through which the state mediates transition relations. In light of the framework, it introduces the UK bus transition as a case study, and offers some preliminary insights on the role and function of the state in transportation transitions. On the one hand, a policy prioritization on ‘greening the car’ within the context of protecting ‘business as usual’ significantly limits bus-based transportation transition prospects. On the other hand, sub-national processes around devolution that embody logics of greater public control of bus networks are found to have transformative potential and questioning existing power relations. The paper concludes by identifying the importance of an interdisciplinary and problem-solving oriented transition research analysis.

本文解决了社会技术转型文献中关于交通脱碳的研究（特别是概念上的）差距：即，缺乏对国家作为任何全系统转型过程的定义和构成要素的关注。

它采用明确的跨学科方法，开发了一个概念框架，将其与关键交通参与者之间的状态和关系视为理解低碳公共交通转型动态的关键。这样做时，它阐明了两个政治经济维度，为国家在转型中的性质和作用提供了更相关的观点。这些首先是对国家过渡干预和监管方法的历史理解，其次是国家调解过渡关系的多种权力场所和形式。根据该框架，它以英国公交转型为例进行了介绍，并就国家在交通转型中的作用和功能提供了一些初步见解。一方面，在保护“一切照旧”的背景下，优先考虑“绿色汽车”的政策显着限制了以公交为基础的交通转型前景。另一方面，围绕权力下放的地方进程体现了公共对公交网络的更大控制的逻辑，被发现具有变革潜力并质疑现有的权力关系。本文最后确定了跨学科和以解决问题为导向的转型研究分析的重要性。