MATEC Web of Conferences 66, 00043 (2016) DOI: 10.1051/matecconf/20166600043 IBCC 2016 Theorizing the Concept of Urban Public Transportation Institutional Framework in Malaysia 1 2 Noor Ashikin Abd Rahman and Yusfida Ayu Abdullah 1 Centre of Postgraduate Studies, Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Malaysia. 2 Centre of Studies for Town and Regional Planning, Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Malaysia. Abstract. The trends in transportation have been changing and will continue to change over the years. Urban dwellers in developing countries require and demand for mobility and accessibility at the same growth rate of these urban areas. Often, this demand is accommodated by the increased number of private vehicles. Development of a country is closely linked with the transportation system facilities thus will have a positive impact on the economic growth and social fabric of a country. The traffic issues are always associated with private vehicles especially in any developing cities such as the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur. A practical, efficient and effective transport system includes traffic management, public transport, road network and infrastructure. However, sadly, at present, the traffic problems in Malaysia are resulted from ineffective public transport system which is not methodically integrated from one place to another, therefore, forcing the people to use private vehicles for daily exercise. An integrated and comprehensive approach is required as it enhances the regulatory framework, planning structure and level of services delivered. For that reason, this paper reviews the magnitude of urban public transportation institutional framework in order to improve the people’s mobility, also to respond to the major problem of urban public transportation in the major city of Malaysia. This study therefore applies a case study design and relies very much on qualitative data encompassing policies and guidelines. The findings were drawn from an early investigation of the Malaysian institutional public transport framework through literature review which looks closely into the management structure, as well as the implementation of public transportation system and its enforcement. 1 Introduction enforcement should be reviewed seriously because there appeared to various ministries and agencies at the federal Over the past few years, urban development receives and local level involved in different aspects of public pressure from the economic growth and increasing transport in the Klang Valley. Furthermore, the four population. Public transport is one of the main problems thrusts have not been accomplished which ensures the of the people in the city because it has a direct impact on efficacy of transportation i.e., a collaborative planning their daily lives. This is proven by the number of articles and governance system, regulatory strengthening, as well and news about public transportation published in various as the service quality and excellence, and the mass media The Malay Online [1], BERNAMA [2], infrastructure and capacity [7]. Another issue relates to Astro Awani [3], The Malaysian Insider [4], My the urban transport system and management. The NewsHub [5], Mstar [6]. The problems include the issue increasing population of Greater Kuala Lumpur (GKL) of complexity of land use and the lack of holistic and the Klang Valley (KV) is expected to reach 10 approach in development and planning strategies. Also, million in 2020, adding more pressure on its road the lack of a comprehensive transportation planning network which is already nearing full capacity [9]. While resulting a connectivity gap and making the Land Public the roads in GKL and KV are generally still serviceable, Transport’s (LPT) services to be inefficient and not user- they are sensitive to any disruption that may have an friendly, therefore suggesting a more cohesive effort impact to the entire system, causing massive congestion between the Federal, States and Local Authorities [7]. [9], for example, due to an accident on the road. According to Azmi and Fanim [7], there is no clear role Prolonged traffic congestion has numerous effects both to and responsibilities among the governments. The the social and economic. Fuel is wasted by idling development had led to institutional conflicts in several vehicles, while productivity is lost as workers are caught aspects especially in enforcement, infrastructure in traffic, air quality is degraded by needless emissions provision and use, policy formulation and coordination. It and drivers are frustrated by the long commute into and was agreed by Oni, Okanlawon, and Asenime [8] that the out of the city [9]. The challenge is to therefore, maintain problem complexity, planning, implementation and a robust network of private transport for the people who 2 [email protected], [email protected] © The Authors, published by EDP Sciences. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). MATEC Web of Conferences 66, 00043 (2016) DOI: 10.1051/matecconf/20166600043 IBCC 2016 can afford private vehicles but also to practice an efficient crowded train with strangers [16]. It is for these reasons public transportation networks and institutional that the policy makers should learn to understand the framework that people can choose. The importance of a unique needs of the general public especially in terms of pragmatic institutional framework because it ideally their dependency on private vehicles before committing covers a range of an organisational structure, including its to new major projects related to transportation. regulations, policies, services and management of the Public transportation is, therefore, a cornerstone of whole system. It is therefore a form of linkages that a nation’s economy which provides a transit medium for ensures an effective flow of information from one part of daily mobility and the link between the people and their a system to another [10]. jobs, education and entertainment. Service coverage, Urban transport management approach had travel time, reliability, park and ride facilities, comfort previously focused on methods to solve the problem of and safety are among the determining factors towards traffic congestion by building more roads and encourages encouraging public transportation as a mode of choice the use and purchase of private vehicles. One of the main [17]. However, integrating land use and public causes of traffic congestions in Kuala Lumpur (KL) is the transportation requires an orderly co-ordination and substantial number of private vehicles with only a single consensus from all related agencies. occupant. This happens because of the very poor public Needless to say, public transportation system is transport system [4]. The inconsiderate Malaysian drivers being taken seriously especially in KL. This includes the was also claimed to be another reason [11]. The problem multiple vehicle services designed to transport customers of congestion is generally caused by the lack of emphasis on local and regional routes. Public transportation is on managing the vehicles’ movement and the lack of therefore provided to the general public by means of cars, integration of public transport services [12]. The buses, vans and trains, either privately or publicly owned. government, with the cooperation of the public, can It also includes shared passenger services like taxicab, resolve these issues by improving the driving behaviour, carpooling or hired buses which are not hired together frequencies and intensities of buses plying the roads of with strangers without private arrangement. KL. Looking at the Government Transformation The key to an affordable and sustainable public Programme’s (GTP) strategy, the ratio of private and transport system is to consider the actual demand, public transport is still below the target with 12% in 2014 region’s characteristic, government policies and financial and when the government is trying to increase it to 25%, condition and to put in place a transportation system that which is when the public transportation system will suits the local condition. A good system requires a become the preferable mode of urban transport [9]. combination of various elements. With regards to those continuing issues, this paper, therefore, seeks to examine the significance of urban public transportation institutional framework in order to 2.2 Integration of Urban Public Transportation improve the people’s mobility, and to respond to the System major problems of urban public transportation in KL. Given that intention, this paper will review the current The term ‘integration’ in public transport is similar to the literature on public transportation and analyse its concept of intermodal which is generally used for the institutional framework, and thereafter suggests a fitting transport of goods. This concept is usually defined as a approach. system that provides seamless public transport services for passengers and covers a wide range of concepts. 2 Urban Public Transportation Netherlands Transport Research and Training [18] quotes by European Cooperation Project [18] and Poorjafari [18] defines integration as: 2.1 The Background of Urban Public “The organisation process through which elements of the Transportation in Malaysia passenger transport system (network