On the move:Issues of mobility, identity, privatisation, autonomy and career for urban bus drivers

Abstract

There has been an increasing focus on the concept of mobility in contemporary workplaces due to enhanced accessto technology and mobile devices (Cohen 2010). Yet, one ignored occupational group, where mobility is essentialisedand where there are limited spatial and temporal choices, is bus drivers. Their work conditions, including beingcompartmentalised and adhering to tight time schedules lead to high stress levels and poor physical and mentalhealth outcomes (Tse 2006).This paper reports findings from part of a year-long, federally funded study of urban bus drivers in Australia. Theoverarching project takes a criminological perspective as it is examining the nature and extent of aggression againstdrivers with the view to evaluating crime prevention options (protective screens, changes to cash-handling, betterdesign of emergency buttons).Qualitative data from a number of focus groups and interviews have yielded novel findings about the role of busdrivers (especially in a privatised or contracted-out marketplace); raised issues about identity of drivers (and how theyare perceived publicly) and highlighted a raft of vulnerabilities that drivers face on a daily basis. The data also revealthat drivers express high levels of satisfaction with their job, feel as if they do experience some autonomy and enjoythe customer relations aspects of driving a route.<br/