Ranking express bus companies: an analysis of key factor that influence students using Fuzzy TOPSIS approach

Express bus services are a popular transportation choice among university students in Malaysia due to their affordability and convenience. This study focuses on ranking four express bus companies, namely Perdana Express, Sani Express, Queen Express, and Pancaran Matahari, based on the preferences of UiTM Perlis students who travel between Perlis and Kelantan. Using the Fuzzy TOPSIS method, the study handles subjective opinions and uncertainty in student responses. A total of 80 students participated in an online survey, evaluating four key criteria which are comfort and cleanliness, safety, price, and punctuality. Their responses were expressed using linguistic variables and converted into triangular fuzzy numbers. The Fuzzy TOPSIS process was then used to calculate the closeness coefficients for each bus company. The results showed Perdana Express ranked highest, followed by Sani Express, Queen Express, and Pancaran Matahari. Safety was found to be the most important factor for students. The study provides insights for service improvements and suggests broader future research.