The growing number of private passenger vehicles in the Klang region of Malaysia has not only resulted in persistent traffic congestion during peak hours, but also resulted in considerable vehicular emissions causing both environmental and human health hazards. To reduce these externalities, this study examines the prospect for a transport modal shift from the use of private vehicles to the public transport system. Contingent valuation method was used to estimate how much current private passenger vehicle users are willing to pay to continue using their private vehicles. On average, private passenger vehicle users were found to be willing to pay a maximum amount of RM 4.99 (USD 1.55) per trip to avoid using the public transport system. Respondents with previous health issues were found more likely to shift to the public transportation system. Public transportation efficiency was found to have a significant impact on the respondents WTP value to maintain the current commuting system.

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a b s t r a c tIn Malaysia, transportation accounts for almost 70% of carbon monoxide emissions. This study sought to discover whether intelligently changing policies for the private and public transport sectors can affect mode choice of private car owners in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. Results of a random parameter logit model identified the most significant parameters affecting respondents' utility measures. These were introducing a congestion fee in private transport mode; and also access, comfort and the frequency of the available public transport. Respondents' marginal value estimates showed that they are willing to pay up to 175% of their hourly wage to have a more frequent and more accessible public transport. Moreover, the value of travel time showed that persons with longer commute time by car and bus are willing to pay more to save travel time. This is estimated about 25-50% of hourly wage of respondents. Simulation of results indicate that introducing the congestion fee has the largest impact both in modal shift and in reducing the number of cars used in the Klang Valley area. Overall results of this study suggested that any government intervention through innovative transport policy implementation such as pricing and providing more efficient public transport could result in 70% modal shift among current car users to public transport.

The growing popularity of privatized solid waste management service in least developed countries warrants an exploration of factors that are likely to impact on its sustainability. This study takes integrated solid waste management approach by analyzing relevant issues on both market sides. We use a three step theme development sequence to analyze the data obtained on service providers through library research, observations and interviews. This was followed by an opinion survey on the demand side to elicit households' support for service improvement. Findings show that source-separation issues, government enforcement, market segmentation, financial issues and waste disposal issues are key factors influencing improved service provision. Meanwhile, on the demand side, we found that households are willing to support proposed regulatory improvement in service provision. Thus, we suggest industrial stakeholders to consider the aforementioned supply side issues in designing future service improvements that will take advantage of existing demand side feasibility.

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