Navigating Urban Mobility: The Relationship between Car Consumption and Public Transport Usage in Malaysia

Abstract

Increasing private-owned cars in Malaysia has, thus far, contributed to growing congestion, environmental pollution, and decreasing public transport utilization. Car ownership has become possible through economic growth, and convenience and status attached to cars triggered tendencies from shifting to public transit. This development contradicts investments in public transport and aggravates environmental problems. This paper examines the relationship between private car ownership and public transport usage in Malaysia from 2000 to 2022, concentrating on intercity bus services, KTM commuters, and light rail transit. The results indicate that with increased riders for intercity buses and KTM commuter services, car usage drops, while that of light rail may raise car ownership. The study emphasizes the need to upgrade intercity and KTM services to mitigate the pressures of car ownership and calls for further research into the role of light rail.