KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians prefer to drive alone to work instead of carpooling or taking public transport, a survey by the Centre for Governance and Political Studies (Cent-GPS) found.
It revealed that more than 87 per cent in the Klang Valley drive alone to work; the highest in the world for single commuters category.
The survey involved 4,689 respondents who drive to work in the city from Ampang, Seri Kembangan, Sungai Buloh and Petaling Jaya, from Oct 23 to 25 and during the morning rush hour period.
The remaining 11.6 per cent were found to travel with one passenger on board, while only 0.9 per cent travel with two passengers on board.
Cent-GPS said the affordability of fuel and toll among single-driver commuters had led to the large percentage.
“From our literature review, the biggest correlation we find with high levels of single-driver commuters is the cost of fuel and toll.
“The fairly affordable cost of fuel and toll in Malaysia is not a big enough incentive to urge people to seek a carpooling or public transportation option.
“The cost of fuel and sitting through traffic is just not as big as the cost of having to sit and listen to your colleague complain about the boss.
“If the government were to increase the cost of toll and fuel, the most affected would be the B40 group, making driving to work alone a luxury afforded by the rich,” it said.
The survey also found that driving alone to work provided relative comfort and privacy to the drivers.
“In our qualitative studies, it is clear from our respondents that many prefer to drive alone because of comfort.
“The drivers would rather spend the morning drive alone to gather their thoughts, listen to their favourite podcasts or even favourite music which they much prefer to do this without having to “layan” (be friendly) a colleague.
“The other reason is that public transport remains difficult (in terms of accessibility).
“Some even complained that the cost of parking at LRT or MRT stations was the same as parking at work,” it said.
Another reason behind the thumbs-down for carpooling is due to the possible tardiness of colleagues who will end up affecting the driver’s punctuality at work as well.
Cent-GPS said other countries had started to see a decreasing number of single-drivers with many more opting for public transport and carpooling.
Last year, the United States recorded a nationwide average of single-driver commuter rate of 66 per cent while the remaining 34 per cent carpooled.
“In Spain, around 56 per cent of workers commute alone by driving while the other 44 per cent carpooled or use public transport.
“Belgium, the number of single-driver commuters has been declining at a rate of five per cent a year, adding that this group is now believed to be only around 30 per cent of road users,” it said.
Cent-GPS also cautioned policymakers against abolishing tolls or continuing fuel subsidies.
“Our policy-makers should not pursue the plight of eradicating tolls or continued fuel subsidies.
“Even the rhetoric of reducing tolls implies that tolls serve a back-stepping function in our society. This is not true.
“Tolls need to be seen as a function in a developing country that can begin to regulate and reduce the number of cars on the road.
“As we head into a decade where climate change will determine our livelihoods, these measures, albeit painful and unpopular, need to be taken for the greater good, for the cleanliness (sustainability) of our children’s future,” it said.