Exploring the determinants of employer-provided bus usage in Penang, Malaysia

This study investigates the primary factors influencing employees' decisions to use employer-provided bus services, focusing on socioeconomic, psychological, and logistical considerations. A sample of 123 government workers in Penang who rely on employer-sponsored bus services for daily commuting participated in this research. The study employs principal component analysis (PCA) to identify the underlying factor structure of 18 measured variables related to bus usage. The results revealed three main factors: socioeconomic, psychological, and logistical factors. The socioeconomic factor, which includes cost comparisons and financial considerations, showed the strongest influence on bus usage decisions, with a mean score of 6.842. This factor had the highest loading on the comparison of bus costs with personal car usage (0.602). The psychological factor, the most comprehensive, includes variables related to environmental concerns, relaxation, and safety. Items like environmental choice (0.849) and relaxation during the journey (0.752) were the most influential. The logistical factor, including aspects like congestion avoidance and vehicle choice, showed the least impact, with a mean score of 3.122. This study highlights the importance of socioeconomic and psychological factors in shaping employees' transportation decisions, suggesting that organizations should focus on cost-effectiveness, comfort, and environmental considerations to enhance the appeal of employer-provided bus services. These findings provide valuable insights for organizations aiming to design more effective and sustainable transportation programs, ultimately improving commuter satisfaction and promoting sustainable commuting practices.