A conceptual framework for understanding behavioral factors in public transport mode choice in Southeast Asia

Public transportation is vital for meeting the mobility demands of rapidly expanding Southeast Asian countries. To create effective transportation policies and support sustainable urban movement, it is essential to understand the factors driving individual’s choice decisions about transportation modes. This review paper seeks to establish a behavioral theory-based conceptual framework that thoroughly examines and finds the primary influences on individual mode choices within Southeast Asia. We propose a two-stage framework that blends the ‘Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)’ with the ‘capability, opportunity, and motivation-behavior (COM-B) model’. This synthesis enables the consideration of a broad spectrum of individual-level factors affecting public transport preferences. Ultimately, this review enhances existing knowledge and provides guidance for future research and policy initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable transportation systems across Southeast Asia.