TRAVELLERS' PERCEPTION OF WORSHIP FACILITIES FOR MULTIMODAL USERS OF MRT SBK LINE

Abstract

The complete opening of the new Mass Rapid Transit System (MRT) Sungai Buloh - Kajang (SBK) of Klang Valley, Malaysia since July 2017 has been supported positively by transit researchers and public transport advocators alike. Multimodal public transport users make trips, usually involving transferring at interchanges. These interchanges are provided with several amenities facilitating each trip leg. This research recorded the perception of users of worship facilities provided at an interchanging node where several rails, bus, taxi, and other paratransit systems meet. This new rail system intersects with the other systems at Muzium Negara station. Using intercept off-board face to face questionnaire survey method, perception of the quality of worship facilities was captured between May and August 2019. Several explanatory variables such as socio economic and trip characteristics were set against the perception to identify factors influencing the perception. Results of the correlational analysis showed that both socio-demographic and trip characteristics influenced perception to various statistical significance degrees. Findings suggested that worship facilities were most utilised by passengers of MRT who relatively lower income, engaged in the public, specifically educational sector. Usage of MRT for commuting within the Klang Valley on monthly basis. The improvements in ventilation systems, prayer hall size and design, floor cleanliness, lighting and mirror design as well as shoe rack/clean area design were most sought by these passengers. As such, these should be the focus of strategies to be promptly adopted by interchanging nodes building managers to increase the quality of worship places provision.