IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jmathe/v9y2021i16p1954-d615295.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Factors Influencing Passengers’ Satisfaction with the Light Rail Transit Service in Alpha Cities: Evidence from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Using Structural Equation Modelling

Author

Listed:
  • Ahmad Nazrul Hakimi Ibrahim

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia)

  • Muhamad Nazri Borhan

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia
    Sustainable Urban Transport Research Centre (SUTRA), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia)

  • Muhamad Razuhanafi Mat Yazid

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia
    Sustainable Urban Transport Research Centre (SUTRA), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia)

  • Riza Atiq Rahmat

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia)

  • Sotaro Yukawa

    (Department of Economics, Osaka University of Commerce, Mikuriyasakae-machi, Higashiosaka-shi, Osaka 577-8505, Japan)

Abstract

Policy makers and service providers must have a good understanding of the determinants of passengers’ satisfaction with light rail transit (LRT) in order to be able to formulate effective strategies that ensure passenger satisfaction, which would in turn help to retain existing passengers and attract new ones. This is seen as the most important determinant of the long-term financial performance of LRT service. In this context, the present study seeks to establish the influence of passenger expectation, perceived quality and perceived value on their satisfaction with the service provided. A total of 417 responses from a self-administrated questionnaire were collected from LRT passengers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The proposed model was tested using a structural equation model. The results proved the significant and direct effect of perceived quality and perceived value on passenger satisfaction. Of the factors, perceived quality is the most critical construct determining the satisfaction level of LRT passengers. The present study concludes by deriving the theoretical and managerial implications on the field of transport. This study provides beneficial information which helps service providers, authorities, policy makers, planners, and researchers formulate effective strategies to increase the use of LRT service, especially in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and other alpha and metropolitan cities in general.

Suggested Citation

  • Ahmad Nazrul Hakimi Ibrahim & Muhamad Nazri Borhan & Muhamad Razuhanafi Mat Yazid & Riza Atiq Rahmat & Sotaro Yukawa, 2021. "Factors Influencing Passengers’ Satisfaction with the Light Rail Transit Service in Alpha Cities: Evidence from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Using Structural Equation Modelling," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(16), pages 1-15, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jmathe:v:9:y:2021:i:16:p:1954-:d:615295
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/9/16/1954/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/9/16/1954/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jiang, Hongwei & Zhang, Yahua, 2016. "An investigation of service quality, customer satisfaction and loyalty in China's airline market," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 80-88.
    2. Oliver, Richard L & DeSarbo, Wayne S, 1988. "Response Determinants in Satisfaction Judgments," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 14(4), pages 495-507, March.
    3. Chandra, Shailesh & Bari, Muhammad Ehsanul & Devarasetty, Prem Chand & Vadali, Sharada, 2013. "Accessibility evaluations of feeder transit services," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 47-63.
    4. Mouwen, Arnoud, 2015. "Drivers of customer satisfaction with public transport services," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 1-20.
    5. Ahmad Nazrul Hakimi Ibrahim & Muhamad Nazri Borhan & Nur Izzi Md. Yusoff & Amiruddin Ismail & Muhamad Razuhanafi Mat Yazid & Nor Aznirahani Mhd Yunin & Sotaro Yukawa, 2021. "Gender and Age Do Matter: Exploring the Effect of Passengers’ Gender and Age on the Perception of Light Rail Transit Service Quality in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-18, January.
    6. Hussain, Rahim & Al Nasser, Amjad & Hussain, Yomna K., 2015. "Service quality and customer satisfaction of a UAE-based airline: An empirical investigation," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 167-175.
    7. Tyrinopoulos, Yannis & Antoniou, Constantinos, 2008. "Public transit user satisfaction: Variability and policy implications," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 15(4), pages 260-272, July.
    8. de Oña, Juan & de Oña, Rocío & Eboli, Laura & Mazzulla, Gabriella, 2013. "Perceived service quality in bus transit service: A structural equation approach," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 219-226.
    9. Puteri Paramita & Zuduo Zheng & Md Mazharul Haque & Simon Washington & Paul Hyland, 2018. "User satisfaction with train fares: A comparative analysis in five Australian cities," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(6), pages 1-26, June.
    10. Fu, Xue-mei & Zhang, Jiang-hua & Chan, Felix T.S., 2018. "Determinants of loyalty to public transit: A model integrating Satisfaction-Loyalty Theory and Expectation-Confirmation Theory," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 476-490.
    11. Redman, Lauren & Friman, Margareta & Gärling, Tommy & Hartig, Terry, 2013. "Quality attributes of public transport that attract car users: A research review," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 119-127.
    12. Astrachan, Claudia Binz & Patel, Vijay K. & Wanzenried, Gabrielle, 2014. "A comparative study of CB-SEM and PLS-SEM for theory development in family firm research," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 5(1), pages 116-128.
    13. Dea van Lierop & Madhav G. Badami & Ahmed M. El-Geneidy, 2018. "What influences satisfaction and loyalty in public transport? A review of the literature," Transport Reviews, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 38(1), pages 52-72, January.
    14. Borhan, Muhamad Nazri & Ibrahim, Ahmad Nazrul Hakimi & Miskeen, Manssour A. Abdulasalm, 2019. "Extending the theory of planned behaviour to predict the intention to take the new high-speed rail for intercity travel in Libya: Assessment of the influence of novelty seeking, trust and external inf," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 373-384.
    15. Lai, Wen-Tai & Chen, Ching-Fu, 2011. "Behavioral intentions of public transit passengers--The roles of service quality, perceived value, satisfaction and involvement," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 18(2), pages 318-325, March.
    16. Shen, Weiwei & Xiao, Weizhou & Wang, Xin, 2016. "Passenger satisfaction evaluation model for Urban rail transit: A structural equation modeling based on partial least squares," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 20-31.
    17. Zhang, Chunqin & Liu, Yong & Lu, Weite & Xiao, Guangnian, 2019. "Evaluating passenger satisfaction index based on PLS-SEM model: Evidence from Chinese public transport service," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 149-164.
    18. Chowdhury, Subeh & Ceder, Avishai (Avi), 2016. "Users’ willingness to ride an integrated public-transport service: A literature review," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 183-195.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ahmad Nazrul Hakimi Ibrahim & Muhamad Nazri Borhan & Mohd Haniff Osman & Muhamad Razuhanafi Mat Yazid & Munzilah Md. Rohani, 2022. "The Influence of Service Quality on User’s Perceived Satisfaction with Light Rail Transit Service in Klang Valley, Malaysia," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 10(13), pages 1-21, June.
    2. Ahmad Nazrul Hakimi Ibrahim & Muhamad Nazri Borhan & Mohd Haniff Osman & Faridah Hanim Khairuddin & Nur Mustakiza Zakaria, 2022. "An Empirical Study of Passengers’ Perceived Satisfaction with Monorail Service Quality: Case of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-17, May.
    3. Ahmad Nazrul Hakimi Ibrahim & Muhamad Nazri Borhan & Muhamad Razuhanafi Mat Yazid & Sitti Asmah Hassan & Ahmad Firdhaus Arham & Sharizal Hashim, 2023. "Modelling of Passenger Satisfaction and Reuse Intention with Monorail Services in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: A Hybrid SEM-ANN Approach," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(15), pages 1-21, August.
    4. Ahmad Nazrul Hakimi Ibrahim & Muhamad Nazri Borhan & Nur Izzi Md. Yusoff & Amiruddin Ismail & Muhamad Razuhanafi Mat Yazid & Nor Aznirahani Mhd Yunin & Sotaro Yukawa, 2021. "Gender and Age Do Matter: Exploring the Effect of Passengers’ Gender and Age on the Perception of Light Rail Transit Service Quality in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-18, January.
    5. Ingvardson, Jesper Bláfoss & Nielsen, Otto Anker, 2019. "The relationship between norms, satisfaction and public transport use: A comparison across six European cities using structural equation modelling," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 37-57.
    6. Mandhani, Jyoti & Nayak, Jogendra Kumar & Parida, Manoranjan, 2020. "Interrelationships among service quality factors of Metro Rail Transit System: An integrated Bayesian networks and PLS-SEM approach," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 320-336.
    7. Ni, Anning & Zhang, Chunqin & Hu, Yuting & Lu, Weite & Li, Hongwei, 2020. "Influence mechanism of the corporate image on passenger satisfaction with public transport in China," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 54-65.
    8. Sun, Fan & Jin, Minjie & Zhang, Tao & Huang, Wencheng, 2022. "Satisfaction differences in bus traveling among low-income individuals before and after COVID-19," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 311-332.
    9. Sun, Shichao & Zhang, Hui & Zhou, Linlin & Wang, Ke, 2023. "Is the relationship between the perceived service quality and passenger loyalty linear or non-linear? A novel model-independent interpretation method is applied," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 65-79.
    10. Ittamalla, Rajesh & Srinivas Kumar, Daruri Venkata, 2021. "Determinants of holistic passenger experience in public transportation: Scale development and validation," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
    11. Chee, Pei Nen Esther & Susilo, Yusak O. & Wong, Yiik Diew, 2020. "Determinants of intention-to-use first-/last-mile automated bus service," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 350-375.
    12. Rong, Rui & Liu, Lishan & Jia, Ning & Ma, Shoufeng, 2022. "Impact analysis of actual traveling performance on bus passenger’s perception and satisfaction," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 80-100.
    13. Juan de Oña, 2022. "Service quality, satisfaction and behavioral intentions towards public transport from the point of view of private vehicle users," Transportation, Springer, vol. 49(1), pages 237-269, February.
    14. Chunqin Zhang & Daoyou Wang & Anning Ni & Xunyou Ni & Guangnian Xiao, 2019. "Different Effects of Contractual Form on Public Transport Satisfaction: Evidence from Large- and Medium-Sized Cities in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-21, October.
    15. Park, Keunhyun & Farb, Anna & Chen, Shuolei, 2021. "First-/last-mile experience matters: The influence of the built environment on satisfaction and loyalty among public transit riders," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 32-42.
    16. Yang, Min & Wang, Zheyuan & Cheng, Long & Chen, Enhui, 2022. "Exploring satisfaction with air-HSR intermodal services: A Bayesian network analysis," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 69-89.
    17. Eldeeb, Gamal & Mohamed, Moataz, 2020. "Quantifying preference heterogeneity in transit service desired quality using a latent class choice model," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 119-133.
    18. Karzan Ismael & Szabolcs Duleba, 2021. "Investigation of the Relationship between the Perceived Public Transport Service Quality and Satisfaction: A PLS-SEM Technique," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-20, November.
    19. Rubén Cordera & Soledad Nogués & Esther González-González & Luigi dell’Olio, 2019. "Intra-Urban Spatial Disparities in User Satisfaction with Public Transport Services," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-22, October.
    20. de Oña, Juan & Estévez, Esperanza & de Oña, Rocío, 2021. "How does private vehicle users perceive the public transport service quality in large metropolitan areas? A European comparison," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 173-188.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jmathe:v:9:y:2021:i:16:p:1954-:d:615295. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.