Bus Driving Health Risks

Bus driving is one of the most hazardous occupations for your health. Research has shown that bus drivers have higher rates of cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal disorders than other occupations. If you have ever experienced road rage then you can understand that bus driving can increase blood pressure and the level of stress hormones, and this does not even consider the all-too-likely prospect of getting assaulted by passengers.

Occupational Outcomes

The hazardous nature of being a bus driver is reflected in occupational outcomes. A paper published by the International Labor Office in Geneva, Switzerland, notes that between 1974 and 1977 only 7% of all the drivers that left their jobs in West Berlin retired while 90% of drivers who worked at least eighteen years left due to poor health. In addition, of the 1,672 city bus drivers in the Netherlands who left their jobs between 1978 and 1985 only 11% retired while 28.8% left due to medical disability. Absenteeism rates are generally two or three times higher than what is found in other professions.

Factors Impacting Driver Health

One major reason why bus drivers incur poor health outcomes is that they must deal with several competing demands. For example, drivers are expected to safely navigate often congested streets while simultaneously keeping to a timetable and providing excellent customer service. Another reason is the irregular work hours; with most shifts either starting around 5 AM or ending around 7 PM, it is no wonder that drivers suffer from sleeping disorders at higher rates than other occupations. Finally, many drivers complain of low autonomy; while they may appear to be “masters of their domain,” they operate under a very strict set of rules and are constantly monitored by video cameras.

Ways to Improve Driver Health

1. Improve the Ergonomics of the Driver Area

By improving the adjustability of the seat and steering wheel, transit agencies make it easier for coach operators of all sizes to drive in a comfortable position. Padded seats with lumbar supports help prevent back problems. One innovative idea is to provide drivers with heated seats similar to those found in higher-end automobiles; the warmth helps muscles relax, reducing the possibility of injury.

2. Improve the Driving Shift

Drivers, like all workers, cannot use the restroom whenever they like. Although many agencies allow restroom stops along the route, drivers often avoid them to not inconvenience passengers. By providing adequate running and layover time, agencies allow drivers to use the restroom at the end of each trip, thereby preventing health issues such as bladder infections. It is also important to offer regular runs and consistent days off—common practice in North America but less so in Europe. For extraboard drivers, using a rotation where the first day of each workweek has the earliest shift and the last day has the latest shift, as codified in many union contracts, can improve well-being. Finally, straight shifts are better for health than split shifts; while split shifts cannot be entirely eliminated, their number can be reduced by employing more part-time drivers.

3. Improve Supervision

While many drivers enjoy a work environment free from constant oversight, others feel abandoned by management. By assigning groups of twenty or so drivers to individual supervisors and holding regular meetings, agencies create a support network where drivers can voice concerns, learn about new initiatives, and feel heard.

Conclusion

Due to the unique nature of the job, we will never eliminate all factors that make bus driving unhealthier than other careers. However, by offering drivers more support—both physically and emotionally—and by allowing them time to take care of basic bodily functions, agencies can significantly reduce risk factors. Investing in these recommendations not only lowers absenteeism (one of the top five employment issues in transit) but also improves customer service, making the investment well worth the outcome.