Driver Behaviour as an Influential Factor for Enhanced Long Distance Bus Travel Experience as Applied to Elders Doing Pilgrimages—A Survey Based Study

Abstract

One of the most influential factors for the overall satisfaction of long distance bus travellers is the interaction between passengers and drivers. This paper tries to find an answer whether our drivers really aware of the needs, apart from their professional (driving) training, on behavioural issues especially attitudes towards their passengers particularly elders’ requirements. An ergonomic survey was conducted on 30 long journey pilgrim buses of different routes with a total journey duration of 2–7 days continuous with night halts en-route and per day travel time of 6–10 h with mini breaks in between. A set of questions was floated to find answers related to four different aspects viz. (1) satisfactory driver behaviour (cordial and interactive), (2) Do the drivers are well versed about the journey details and destinations. (3) Willingness to help on various issues as and when required and, (4) Comfortable and smooth drives without jerks while accelerating and decelerating, and was enquired on 30 passengers for each driver (selected with purposive random sampling). The number of drivers was also 30. Hence in total 900 respondents were surveyed. Responses were recorded with a five-point Likert scale towards framing a possible behaviour guideline. The results suggest that a set of remedial knowhow to handle psycho-social and physical issues relevant to elderly passengers can be framed out and drivers may be given refresher training on special care requirement; It is expected to enhance rejuvenation of travelling spirit in spite of the gradual deterioration of physical capability of senior pilgrims.