acceptable QoL features , the stage bus eco-system did not rise to the occasion . Prasarana has made an effort to increase bus service quality , but bus infrastructure such as bus stops are generally dilapidated or even non-existent , without any proper walkway leading to them . Stagnation or declining growth in the eco-system has stunted the growth in public transport ridership especially in stage buses .
● Higher ownership of private vehicles , coupled with relatively low and subsidised price of petrol and diesel , have promoted the use of private vehicles and acted as a disincentive to use PT .
● Travel time factor is more important than cost .
● E-Hailing has made PT services more acceptable for first and last mile connectivity as they are more reliable and affordable .
Recommended Way Forward
In general , there are four main factors for a user to consider when choosing a mobility mode .
1 . The first is Cost , which served as the primary factor in the early days .
2 . The second is Quality of Life , where public transport is a good alternative if it is comfortable and enjoyable . Massive efforts have been made to ensure that universal designs have been applied to make services accessible to everyone regardless of age and ability .
3 . The third is Time : rail for example can cut down journey times during peak hours . Convenience of services is a subset of the time factor where close proximity of stops for transport services definitely shortens the duration of travel time . Technology is also an enabler for reduced travel times when information is available for the user on their service coupled with other valueadded services that can significantly reduce waiting times by synchronising travel plans .
4 . The fourth is Health . Using public transport is a healthier lifestyle because users walk further . A public transport stop is generally within a 400-metre radius , thus necessitating physical exercise .
In meeting the challenges from lessons learnt , it would be prudent to undertake the following measures :
● Implement the “ urban growth boundary ” concept proposed in The National Physical Plan 3 ( 2016-2020 ) to manage urban sprawl . By the same token , PT operators need to be encouraged to develop Transit Oriented Development ( TOD ) at major transit stops where profits can be used to cross-subsidise operations .
● Focus on the first and last mile connectivity via providing smaller capacities with high frequency services and increasing the QoL aspects of the overall PT eco-system especially for stage buses . Malaysia is well known for its sunny and rainy weather , and these must be the major considerations for the needed bus infrastructure .
● Implement a “ stick ” strategy to enable penalties that not only increases patronage , but also becomes a source of funding for public transport . The 12 th Malaysia Plan plans to introduce carbon tax as part of its target to be carbon neutral by 2050 , and profits should be utilised to fund public transport .
● Make bus priority measures more visible and effective so as to cut down travel time using stage buses ; implementation of Bus Rapid Transit is such a measure .
● Keep stage buses abreast with digital technology . Coupled with a journey planner application , Buses on Demand technology need to be integrated with the system to attract patronage and reduce wastage in operations . It would be more prudent to use smaller size buses in view of present patronage patterns due to the lingering effects of COVID-19 and to reduce operating costs .
In conclusion , PT is a public necessity similar to having roads and the Internet . Without PT , mobility would only be possible for people who can own personal transport , but this , in effect will choke our roads and highways and result in
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