An Examination of Consumer Preferences and Socio-economic Factors on the Demand for Electric Train System in Malaysia

This paper aims to examine consumer priorities and preferences for users of Electric Train Service (ETS) system in Malaysia. Through the study, the user’s preferences could be captured and be used as the references for the development of an efficient and effective Feeder Bus System (FBS). The study presents an empirical examination on consumer preferences and several socio-economic factors for the demand of Electric Train System (ETS) in Malaysia. The paper highlights a conceptual framework relating to a demand modeling that links socio-economic factors, customer satisfaction and feeder bus system acceptance to the demand of mass rapid transit (MRT) such as the electric train services provided by Malaysia Railway Company (KTM). The demand function in this conceptual framework can serve as a predictive model for the demand pattern of MRT and ETS as well as in relation to the services of its feeder bus system. Several hypotheses relating to socio-economic factors towards the demand on the ETS were developed and tested.