Rearrangement of CA Policy among Government Officials to Promote Public Transport Use: The Case of Vientiane, Lao PDR

抄録

Vientiane’s public transport (PT) modal share decreased by 70% from 2007 to 2019. Private modes are increasing since they are reliable and comfortable but at the cost of traffic congestion and environmental degradation. Shifting to PT is needed to reverse this trend, however, PT services cannot improve without financial support. This paper clarified the feasibility of rearranging the commuting allowance (CA) policy in Vientiane. Using a SWOT framework, the research proposed strategic interventions including: the reallocation of CA towards PT passes and subsidization for officials; enhancement of PT infrastructure; incentives and subsidies to bolster PT operation; formulation of a more structured DRT to complement BRT services; and the need for consistent policy review and adaptability. The study outlined critical pathways and interventions to make PT a more appealing choice for government officials in Vientiane, which could serve as an example for other regions facing similar challenges.