PROFILING INTERCITY BUS DRIVERS OF MALAYSIA

Bachok, Syahriah; Mohamed Osman, Mariana; Abdullah, Muhammad Faris · 2018 · Crossref

DOI: 10.21837/pmjournal.v16.i5.435

archive: archived pipeline: cataloged verified

Get this paper ↗ (DOI — opens at the source; we link to it, we don't host it)

Summary

This study addresses the lack of comprehensive research on the socio-demographic profiles and working conditions of intercity bus drivers in Malaysia. The authors argue that while regulatory bodies focus heavily on vehicle monitoring and accident statistics, the human capital aspect—specifically driver well-being, attitudes, and remuneration—remains underexplored. This gap is critical because driver behavior is a primary determinant of road safety, yet drivers often face stigmatization and poor working environments that may negatively impact their performance and mental health. The research aims to profile these workers to inform policies that improve their well-being and, consequently, public transport safety. The researchers conducted a qualitative profiling study using a survey questionnaire administered to approximately 1,200 intercity bus drivers at the Southern Integrated Bus Terminal in Kuala Lumpur. The data collection relied on convenient sampling, targeting either single drivers or the main driver in multi-driver units. The questionnaire covered four main areas: demographics, work details, remuneration and benefits, and comments on working conditions. The analysis was descriptive, focusing on characterizing the labor segment rather than performing statistical testing of accident causality. The findings reveal that the driver population is predominantly male (99%), Malay (88%), and aged between 41 and 50 years (35%), with most holding only secondary education certificates. Financially, 54% earned between RM2,000 and RM2,999 monthly, with remuneration structures heavily tied to trip counts rather than fixed salaries, incentivizing drivers to maximize trips despite fatigue risks. Although 97% of drivers received mandated rest breaks, 5% worked over 12 hours daily. Job stability was low, with 69% of drivers having changed employers at least once, and only 29% staying with the same company for more than ten years. Drivers reported significant dissatisfaction with remuneration, lack of health insurance, poor working conditions, and negative public perception. Many cited stressors such as rude passengers, unsympathetic employers, and the pressure to speed to meet schedules. The study concludes that the intercity bus driving profession in Malaysia is characterized by low morale, high turnover, and inadequate support systems, resembling an "inferior" job sector despite its high responsibility for passenger safety. The authors contend that current remuneration packages fail to support economic well-being, leading to demotivation and potential safety risks. They recommend targeted interventions, including revised remuneration structures with direct cash incentives, improved training on road safety, better enforcement of driving duration limits, and the provision of medical and health insurance. These measures are intended to enhance driver self-esteem and loyalty, thereby improving the overall quality and safety of public transport services.

Provenance

The full processing record for this entry. Every stage of this paper's journey through the pipeline is logged — what ran, with which tool and model, how many attempts it took, and when it last completed.

Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-26; verification: verified.

Topics

Ranked by relevance to this paper. Hover a topic for its definition.

• bus coach

Information type

What kind of knowledge this paper contributes, grouped by family — independent of topic (what it is about) and method (how it was studied).

• Empirical Findings: observational prevalence