The Sustainability of Transport Mode Choice among B40 Groups in Urban Areas: A Case Study of Penang Island, Malaysia

Rosli, Hafizah; Samat, Narimah; Abu Bakar, Mohd Azmeer · 2023 · Crossref

DOI: 10.1051/bioconf/20237305019

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Summary

This study investigates the transport mode choices of the Bottom 40% (B40) income group in urban areas, specifically focusing on Penang Island, Malaysia. The research is motivated by the proliferation of privately owned vehicles, which contributes to traffic congestion and high carbon emissions, while low-income households often rely on unsustainable transport modes due to inadequate public transit infrastructure. The authors aim to identify the dominant transport modes used by this demographic, articulate the mobility challenges they face, and capture their expectations for commuting to work. The study employed a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. Quantitative data were collected from 306 respondents selected via stratified random sampling from the 2016 eKasih Programme list, which registers B40 households. The sample covered the northeast and southwest districts of Penang Island. Qualitative data were gathered through in-person interviews with a subset of 10 automobile-dependent respondents who commute more than 15 kilometers to their workplaces. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and cross-tabulation, while qualitative data underwent content analysis to identify themes regarding mobility issues and expectations. The results indicate that motorcycles are the dominant transport mode for B40 commuters, accounting for 29.08% of respondents in the northeast district and 42.81% in the southwest district. In contrast, public bus usage was minimal, at 1.63% and 3.92% respectively. The reliance on motorcycles is attributed to their cost-effectiveness, time efficiency, and the influence of population density and distance from public transport stations. Qualitative findings reveal that commuters face significant challenges, including inefficient public transport, poor road conditions, and severe traffic congestion. Respondents expressed a strong desire for reliable mass transit systems, such as Light Rail Transit (LRT) or Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), to alleviate congestion and parking difficulties. They emphasized the need for affordable, sufficient, and efficient public transport options that cater to varying demand levels. The study concludes that the current deficiency in public transport infrastructure forces low-income groups to rely on private vehicles, particularly motorcycles, despite the associated risks and inefficiencies. The authors recommend that policymakers enhance transportation strategies by refurbishing public transport services and diversifying transport modes to make them more appealing. Establishing an urban mobility data bank to periodically capture the mobility information of target demographics is suggested to facilitate effective, demand-based sustainable urban mobility planning. These measures are critical for reducing carbon emissions, alleviating traffic congestion, and improving the well-being of socioeconomically disadvantaged populations in urban centers.

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