Identifying age-friendly behaviours for bus driver age-awareness training.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Transportation Studies
• Occupational Therapy

Background:

• Occupational therapists advocate for age-friendly public transportation.
• Developing effective bus driver age-awareness training requires defining specific behaviors.
• Understanding passenger needs is crucial for improving bus services for older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define, clarify, and illustrate bus driver behaviors that promote friendliness and helpfulness.
• To identify key actions contributing to a positive bus travel experience for older passengers.
• To provide a behavioral basis for age-awareness training programs for bus operators.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative content analysis of observations and interviews with older bus passengers.
• Stimulated recall interviews were used to gather detailed passenger experiences.
• Study conducted with 40 older adults (60+) in Queensland, Australia, involving round-trip bus journeys.

Main Results:

• General professional behaviors: ensuring passenger safety, courtesy, friendliness, and acknowledging invisible disabilities.
• Specific professional behaviors: allowing adequate time, pulling close to the curb, effective communication, and providing clear information.
• Older participants highlighted the importance of drivers being aware and considerate of their needs.

Conclusions:

• Findings inform the development of evidence-based age-awareness training for bus drivers.
• Recommendations focus on specific behaviors to enhance the safety and comfort of older passengers.
• Improving bus driver practices can significantly enhance public transport accessibility for seniors.