Determinants of the Intention to Use Sustainable Public Transport: Examining the Role of Fuel Subsidy in Malaysia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24191/jibe.v11i2.10924Keywords:
Sustainable transport, Public transport, Environmental protection, Fuel subsidyAbstract
The road transport sector represents the second-largest contributor to carbon emissions, particularly significant in developing nations where sustainable transport plays a crucial role in managing environmental pollution. There is an urgency to address the risks posed by transportation, including land degradation, carbon emissions, noise pollution, and climate change. To combat the detrimental impact of personal vehicles on the environment, it’s essential to promote the use of sustainable transport. This research aims to investigate the factors influencing the adoption of sustainable transport among Malaysian workers and to examine the potential consequences of providing fuel subsidy to them. Conducted in the Klang Valley, Malaysia, the study gathered data from 433 residents and working individuals using a questionnaire and analysed it using structural equation modelling. The findings revealed that the perceived behavioral control significantly influenced the use of sustainable transport, while fuel subsidy showed no direct impact on moral obligation, environmental awareness, and the intention to use sustainable transport. This research has made a substantial contribution by promoting environmental sustainability while fostering efficient and accessible sustainable transport options. By examining the potential impact of fuel subsidy on the adoption of sustainable transport, this study sheds light on its potential influence.
References
Abdel Wahed Ahmed, M. M., & Abd El Monem, N. (2020). Sustainable and green transportation for better quality of life: Case study Greater Cairo–Egypt. HBRC Journal, 16(1), 17–37. https://doi.org/10.1080/16874048.2020.1719340
Abdul-Hakim, R., Abdullah, O. Y., Ismail, R., & Abdul-Razak, N. A. (2014). Fuel subsidy rationalisation: The perils of the middle class in Malaysia (Rasionalisasi subsidi bahan api: Kesannya ke atas kelas pertengahan di Malaysia). Jurnal Ekonomi Malaysia, 48(2), 83–97. https://doi.org/10.17576/jem-2014-4802-08
Abdul Sukor, N. S., Basri, N. K., Hassan, S. A., & Belgiawan, P. F. (2014). Pro-environmental awareness among adolescents towards sustainable transportation: Extended theory of planned behaviour. In The 5th Sustainable Future for Human Security (SustaiN 2014) (pp. 86–97).
Adnan, N., Nordin, S. M., Rahman, I., & Rasli, A. M. (2017). A new era of sustainable transport: An experimental examination on forecasting adoption behavior of EVs among Malaysian consumer. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 103, 279–295. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2017.06.010
Ajzen, I. (2011). The theory of planned behaviour: Reactions and reflections. Psychology & Health, 26(9), 1113–1127. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2011.613995
Ateş, H. (2020). Merging theory of planned behavior and value identity personal norm model to explain pro-environmental behaviors. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 24, 169–180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2020.07.006
Bai, L., Sze, N. N., Liu, P., & Guo Haggart, A. (2020). Effect of environmental awareness on electric bicycle users’ mode choices. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 82, Article 102320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2020.102320
Bárány, A., & Grigonytė, D. (2015). Measuring fossil fuel subsidies. ECFIN Economic Brief, 40, 1–13.
Barclay, D., Higgins, C., & Thompson, R. (1995). The partial least squares (PLS) approach to causal modeling: Personal computer adoption and use as an illustration. Technology Studies, 2(2), 285–324.
Cauberghe, V., Vazquez-Casaubon, E. C., & Van de Sompel, D. (2021). Perceptions of water as commodity or uniqueness? The role of water value, scarcity concern and moral obligation on conservation behavior. Journal of Environmental Management, 292, Article 112677. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112677
Chin, W. W., Marcolin, B. L., & Newsted, P. R. (2003). A partial least squares latent variable modeling approach for measuring interaction effects: Results from a Monte Carlo simulation study and an electronic-mail emotion/adoption study. Information Systems Research, 14(2), 189–217. https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.14.2.189.16018
Chin, W. W., Cheah, J.-H., Liu, Y., Ting, H., Lim, X.-J., & Cham, T. H. (2020). Demystifying the role of causal-predictive modeling using partial least squares structural equation modeling in information systems research. Industrial Management & Data Systems, 120(12), 2161–2209. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMDS-10-2019-0529
Choocharukul, K., Van, H. T., & Fujii, S. (2006). Psychological determinants of moral obligation of car use reduction and acceptance of car use restriction in Japan and Thailand. IATSS Research, 30(2), 70–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0386-1112(14)60171-0
Coady, D., El-Said, M., Gillingham, R., Kpodar, K., Medas, P., & Newhouse, D. L. (2006). The magnitude and distribution of fuel subsidies: Evidence from Bolivia, Ghana, Jordan, Mali, and Sri Lanka (IMF Working Paper No. 06/247). International Monetary Fund. https://doi.org/10.5089/9781451865073.001
Dirgahayani, P., & Sutanto, H. (2020). The effect of transport demand management policy on the intention to use public transport: A case in Bandung, Indonesia. Case Studies on Transport Policy, 8(3), 1062–1072. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cstp.2020.03.004
Donald, I. J., Cooper, S. R., & Conchie, S. M. (2014). An extended theory of planned behaviour model of the psychological factors affecting commuters’ transport mode choice. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 40, 39–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2014.03.003
Dütschke, E., Engel, L., Theis, A., & Hanss, D. (2022). Car driving, air travel or more sustainable transport? Socio-psychological factors in everyday mobility and long-distance leisure travel. Travel Behaviour and Society, 28, 115–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tbs.2022.03.002
Ehteshamrad, S., Saffarzadeh, M., Mamdoohi, A. R., & Nordfjærn, T. (2022). Behavior of parents and children in the way they use public transport: A case study of Iranian households. Case Studies on Transport Policy, 10(1), 454–462. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cstp.2022.01.006
Engels, L. J. (2022). Behavioral intentions of an electric vehicle purchase: Impact of different factors on the purchase behavior of an electric vehicle of German consumers [Master's thesis, Universidade Católica Portuguesa]. Universidade Católica Portuguesa. https://hdl.handle.net/10400.14/38116
Erickson, P., van Asselt, H., Koplow, D., Lazarus, M., Newell, P., Oreskes, N., & Supran, G. (2020). Why fossil fuel producer subsidies matter. Nature, 578(7793), E1–E4. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-019-1920-x
Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. Journal of Marketing Research, 18(1), 39–50. https://doi.org/10.2307/3151312
Fu, X., & Juan, Z. (2017). Exploring the psychosocial factors associated with public transportation usage and examining the “gendered” difference. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 103, 70–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2017.05.017
Gilbert, R., & Tanguay, H. (2000). Sustainable transportation performance indicators project: Brief review of some relevant worldwide activity and development of an initial long list of indicators. The Centre for Sustainable Transportation.
Kang, A. S., Jayaraman, K., Soh, K. L., & Wong, W. P. (2019). Convenience, flexible service and commute impedance as the predictors of drivers’ intention to switch and behavioral readiness to use public transport. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 62, 505–519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2019.02.005
Khoo, H. L., & Ong, G. P. (2015). Understanding sustainable transport acceptance behavior: A case study of Klang Valley, Malaysia. International Journal of Sustainable Transportation, 9(3), 227–239. https://doi.org/10.1080/15568318.2012.757401
Küfeoğlu, S. (2024). Transportation sector emissions. In Net zero: Decarbonizing the global economies (pp. 493–554). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-70322-5_10
Martins, F., Felgueiras, C., Smitkova, M., & Caetano, N. (2019). Analysis of fossil fuel energy consumption and environmental impacts in European countries. Energies, 12(6), Article 964. https://doi.org/10.3390/en12060964
Mei, N. S., Wai, C. W., & Ahamad, R. (2017). Public environmental awareness and behaviour in Malaysia. Asian Journal of Quality of Life, 2(5), 43–53. https://doi.org/10.21834/ajqol.v2i5.10
Mustapa, S. I., & Bekhet, H. A. (2016). Analysis of CO₂ emissions reduction in the Malaysian transportation sector: An optimisation approach. Energy Policy, 89, 171–183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2015.11.016
Ng, P. Y., & Phung, P. T. (2021). Public transportation in Hanoi: Applying an integrative model of behavioral intention. Case Studies on Transport Policy, 9(2), 395–404. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cstp.2020.10.012
Nguyen-Phuoc, D. Q., Su, D. N., Nguyen, M. H., Vo, N. S., & Oviedo-Trespalacios, O. (2022). Factors influencing intention to use on-demand shared ride-hailing services in Vietnam: Risk, cost or sustainability? Journal of Transport Geography, 99, Article 103302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2022.103302
Ong, H. C., Mahlia, T. M. I., & Masjuki, H. H. (2011). A review on energy scenario and sustainable energy in Malaysia. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 15(1), 639–647. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2010.09.043
Pahlevan Sharif, S., & Sharif Nia, H. (2018). Structural equation modeling with AMOS. Artin Teb.
Rentschler, J., & Bazilian, M. (2017). Reforming fossil fuel subsidies: Drivers, barriers and the state of progress. Climate Policy, 17(7), 891–914. https://doi.org/10.1080/14693062.2016.1169393
Rotaris, L., Giansoldati, M., & Scorrano, M. (2021). The slow uptake of electric cars in Italy and Slovenia: Evidence from a stated-preference survey and the role of knowledge and environmental awareness. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 144, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2020.11.011
Saifullah, M. K., Kari, F. B., & Ali, M. A. (2017). Linkage between public policy, green technology and green products on environmental awareness in the urban Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business, 4(2), 45–53. https://doi.org/10.13106/jafeb.2017.vol4.no2.45
Si, H., Shi, J. G., Tang, D., Wu, G., & Lan, J. (2020). Understanding intention and behavior toward sustainable usage of bike sharing by extending the theory of planned behavior. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 152, Article 104513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.104513
Thurner, T., Fursov, K., & Nefedova, A. (2022). Early adopters of new transportation technologies: Attitudes of Russia’s population towards car sharing, the electric car and autonomous driving. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 155, 403–417. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2021.11.006
Yee Yen, Y., & Lim Feng Han, R. (2022). Key success factors of petrol subsidy in Malaysia. Journal of Algebraic Statistics, 13(3), 3551–3554.
Zainuddin, N., Leong, H. M., Choo, S. T., & Sim, P. K. (2016). Sustainable transportation scheme in universiti: Students’ intention on bike sharing system: An empirical approach. Journal of Global Business and Social Entrepreneurship, 2(4), 144–163.
Downloads
Published
Data Availability Statement
The data are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Nor Aziedah Mhd Noh, Ahmad Razi Ramli, Juliana Mohamed Abdul Kadir, Mohd Azim Sardan, Bazri Abu Bakar, Diana’ Mazan
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
