Integrated fare payment system in multi operators single market public bus network

Abstract

Several research have dealt with the need for the planning of an efficient public transportation system in Johor Bahru. However, these research did not look into the need for efficiency of public transportation from the perspective of the users’ and operators’ and the efficiency of the fare payment system among the stage bus operators. Studies have identified that fare integration is a way to enhance public bus system. Therefore the aim of this study is to determine if the fare integration would enhance public bus system in Johor Bahru. The objectives of the study were to review the current operational, network and market structures of public bus system in Johor Bahru, to determine users and operators acceptance level to the integrated fare payment system, to determine the appropriate methods of fare integration and to review the benefits of the integrated fare payment system. Seventy stage bus users and three bus operators were interviewed. The research hypotheses (alternative hypothesis H??) stated the population parameter (age, education and income level) and travel characteristic (changes of bus line) have influence to the acceptance of the integrated fare payment system against the study hypotheses (null hypothesis H??) that the population parameter and travel characteristic have no influence to the acceptance of the integrated fare payment system. Hypotheses test failed to reject the null hypotheses (for age, income level and changes of bus line) and accepted the alternative hypothesis for education level. For the operators, the research hypothesis was on the population proportion (P) where the alternative hypothesis H??: P >0.5 tested the operators willingness (willingness to share information and merge) against null hypothesis H??: P = 0.5. Hypotheses test accepted the null hypothesis for both of the proportion hypotheses. The proportion test value (P = 0.2776) revealed there is inadequate evidence to conclude that operators are willing to share the information and merge (P > a.). The result is inconclusive as the study only evaluated three population parameter (age, education and income level) and one travel characteristic (changes of bus line). Further research in population and travel characteristics is needed for more complete understanding on users’ and operators’ acceptance level to the proposed integrated fare payment system in Johor Bahru.