Assessment on accessibility of mass rapid transit (MRT) line in Klang Valley

Abstract

Mass Rapid Transit System is the rail-based public transport providing connectivity between fringe and the city centre. Nevertheless, in Klang Valley the targetted ridership has yet to be attained due to several identified issues, including first and last mile connectivity, stations’ facility and dominance of private vehicles undermining the efficiency of buses as an attractive alternative mode for road-based movement. Equitable accessibility is the most ambitious achievement for sustainable transport which is still unsolved. In ensuring a high accessibility level, the integration among various modes of public transportation is essential. The newly deployed MRT Sungai Buloh – Kajang Line should adopt strategies and passengers’ initiatives to reduce the dependency on private vehicle which is a major contributor to traffic congestion and other related issues in Klang Valley. The thesis aimed at assessing the MRT accessibility in maximizing connectivity in Klang Valley. Three objectives were formulated based on problems identified by literature review as well as answering the respective research questions. These objectives are to examine factors influencing the access trip pattern to MRT station, assess the accessibility quality of MRT SBK Line, assess factors that influence trip behaviours through user perception and satisfaction, and to recommend a better plan or program in improving the accessibility level of Mass Rapid Transit. This thesis also constructed a multi-variable assessment tool for accessibility testing, by focusing on MRT SBK Line user-based experience and aspiration. Some 700 samples were intercepted at 10 identified stations, with unequal distribution based on convenient sampling strategy through questionnaire survey forms consisting of parameters adopted from the literature. These assessment variables included station facilities, signages, convenience, pedestrian walking facilities, waiting time, parking facilities, trip characteristics laid out as likert scale from 1 (least) to 4 (most). Out of these 700 samples, only 511 were deemed meaningful and useful after data entry and cleaning. Finding of parameter estimates indicated all but one (parking facilities) variables had positive and direct relations with satisfaction levels in regard to accessibility. As such, it is suggested that to achieve equitable accessibility, MRT SBK Line operator should focus on providing improved station facilities such as station convenience, more effective signages and higher quality pedestrian facilities. Muzium Negara MRT Station (3.39 mean value) was perceived as highly accessible station and Bandar Utama MRT station (3.122 mean value) was viewed as the least one. The thesis contribution was the improvement towards the framework of accessibility assessment, with a development of an indexing mechanism to evaluate each new, existing and planned rail station quantitatively, which can be applicable and trasferrable to other alike cases study and beyond.

Keywords: Mass Rapid Transit System, Klang Valley, Accessibility