St Lucia Public Transportation Research: Bus Driver Surveys

1. St Lucia Public Transportation Research: Bus Driver Surveys By Liz Ferris In conjunction with the Department of Consumer Affairs

2. Presentation Agenda Background Research Goals Objectives Field Work Findings Recommendations/Future Goals

3. Background Past Research Preparation • Partnership Development • Literature Review • Survey

4. Research Goal To evaluate how bus drivers perceive the public transportation system in St Lucia

5. Objectives • Develop a survey with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs for Bus Drivers. • Survey Bus Drivers on Routes 1B, 1D, 1E, 5C, 5E and 5F(80 total). • Analyze and interpret the data collected in the surveys using SPSS software. • Present findings and preliminary recommendations.

6. Project Work In the field: Surveyed a total of 80 bus drivers from different routes in the Castries area

7. Section III – Commuter Issues 13 (a) Are you satisfied with the conduct of commuters using the buses? Yes No Sometimes (b) If no or sometimes, why ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Section IV – Policy Issues 14 (a) Is there police presence at your bus stand? Yes No Don’t know Sometimes (b) If no, should there be police presence at your bus stand? Yes No Don’t know Sometimes (c) If yes, should there be an increase in police surveillance at the bus stand? Yes No Don’t know Sometimes 15 (a) Are there designated bus stops along your bus route? Yes No Don’t know

8. Project Work • In the office: • Downloaded SPSS software onto computers at the Department of Consumer Affairs • Began statistical analysis of completed surveys

9. Findings 82% of drivers surveyed agree there should be a central bus terminal in Castries.

10. Findings • When asked if they were satisfied with the conduct of passengers riding the buses 82% of drivers answered no or sometimes • 74% of drivers surveyed said there should be an increase in police presence at the bus stands.

11. Findings As an additional comment 25% of bus drivers surveyed expressed concern about the condition/safety of the roads.

12. Recommendations • Complete surveys island wide • Code data and run a full statistical analysis using SPSS • Present complete findings to Minibus Association and the Department of Communication and Transportation

13. Future Goals Continued training in research methods and data analysis for all members of research unit University level statistics for researchers Continue partnership between UVM and Department of Consumer Affairs

14. Special Thanks To: Mr. Philip McClauren Mrs. Lyra Thomas-Joseph Mrs. Verlette Jn Louis & Everybody at the Department of Consumer Affairs