JULY 8 — Every morning, thousands of students and staff across Malaysian universities begin their day in much the same way — sitting in traffic.

Long queues at campus entrances, crowded parking spaces, delayed buses, and lengthy walks between buildings have become familiar frustrations for many. While universities increasingly promote sustainability and environmental responsibility, transportation remains one of the most difficult challenges to address.

The problem is not unique to any single institution. As student populations grow and private vehicle ownership continues to rise, universities across the country are grappling with a difficult question: How can campuses reduce congestion and carbon emissions without compromising convenience and accessibility?

A recent case study conducted at Universiti Malaya (UM) under the UM Living Labs Towards Just Net Zero Program offers insight into the complex realities behind sustainable transportation policies and highlights why many students and staff remain dependent on private vehicles despite growing environmental concerns.

The daily commute dilemma

For many students, getting to class is often more stressful than the class itself.

Traffic congestion during peak hours can result in missed lectures, delayed arrivals, and increased stress levels. Parking shortages add another layer of frustration, with some students spending valuable time searching for available spaces before classes begin.

Students who rely on public transportation face a different set of challenges. Delays, overcrowding, and inconsistent schedules often make buses a less attractive option compared with driving.

Those who choose to walk are not exempt from difficulties either. On large campuses, travelling between faculties can take considerable time, particularly under Malaysia’s hot and unpredictable weather conditions.

As a result, many students continue to view private vehicles as the most practical option despite recognising the environmental consequences.

Convenience versus sustainability

The popularity of private vehicles is easy to understand. Cars and motorcycles offer flexibility, comfort, and greater control over daily schedules. For students with back-to-back classes or staff attending multiple meetings across campus, personal transportation often appears to be the most efficient choice.

Yet the collective impact of thousands of individual decisions is becoming increasingly visible. 

Traffic congestion contributes to air pollution, noise, greenhouse gas emissions, and fuel consumption. More vehicles also place greater pressure on parking infrastructure and reduce the effectiveness of efforts to create greener, more pedestrian-friendly campuses.

This creates a dilemma that many universities now face: while sustainable transportation is widely supported in principle, it often struggles to compete with the convenience of private vehicles.

Why people still drive

Interviews conducted as part of the study revealed a consistent message from both students and academic staff. Many respondents expressed support for sustainability initiatives but felt that existing alternatives were not yet reliable enough to replace private vehicles.

Lecturers noted that busy schedules often require travelling quickly between different locations on campus. Students similarly reported that inconsistent bus services and long waiting times made alternative transportation options less appealing.

Importantly, respondents did not reject sustainable transportation. Instead, they argued that sustainable options must first become practical, reliable, affordable, and convenient before stricter restrictions on vehicle use can be introduced. In other words, behavioural change requires viable alternatives.

Building a campus that moves better

Experts increasingly argue that solving congestion requires more than simply limiting parking spaces or discouraging car use. A successful transition towards sustainable mobility requires investment in attractive alternatives.

Among the solutions proposed by respondents were more frequent shuttle buses, improved service reliability, safer cycling infrastructure, shaded pedestrian walkways, electric vehicle charging facilities, and better integration between public transport and campus transport systems.

Many also supported carpooling initiatives and the gradual introduction of cleaner transport technologies such as electric buses.

Such measures could reduce dependence on private vehicles while improving the overall campus experience.

A sustainability challenge beyond universities

The transportation debate reflects a wider challenge facing cities and communities throughout Malaysia. As the country pursues its sustainability and climate commitments, reducing emissions from transportation will become increasingly important. This aligns closely with the aspirations of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, which calls for safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all.

Universities have a unique opportunity to serve as living laboratories for sustainable mobility. By improving public transportation, encouraging active travel such as walking and cycling, and investing in low-carbon transport solutions, campuses can contribute not only to SDG 11, but also to SDG 13 (Climate Action) through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by promoting healthier and more active lifestyles.

Beyond reducing congestion, sustainable mobility can improve air quality, strengthen social inclusion, and create more vibrant and people-centred campuses. These outcomes demonstrate how transportation is not merely an operational issue, but an important component of sustainable development.

The road ahead

The future of campus transportation may not depend on convincing people to abandon their cars. Instead, it may depend on creating alternatives so effective that driving becomes the less attractive option.

For universities seeking to become greener, more inclusive, and more sustainable, the challenge is clear: transportation systems must be designed not only for efficiency and convenience, but also for environmental responsibility and social well-being. Achieving this balance will be essential if campuses are to support broader sustainability goals and contribute meaningfully to a just transition towards a low-carbon future.

After all, the most successful transport system is not necessarily the one with the fewest vehicles. It is the one that enables people to move safely, efficiently, equitably, and sustainably while leaving a lighter footprint on the planet.

* The authors are from the Department of Science and Technology Studies, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya.

** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.