Perception of safety and vulnerability to disease of bus passengers in Kandy, Sri Lanka

Abstract

The public transport sector in Sri Lanka lacks up to date guidelines and an effective communication mechanism to enhance passenger health safeguards, reduce vulnerability to disease and ensure overall safety and security in travel. This study investigates perception of bus passengers on (a) safety, (b) health and hygiene facilitates made available when choosing to travel by bus. A total of 96 passenger responses were collected between 10th to 12th April 2021 at bus terminals in Kandy, Sri Lanka, including personal profiles as well as safety perceptions, including potential exposure to COVID-19. Quantitative methods analyzed the sample responses. With respect to health and hygiene, it was observed that 68% of the respondents felt unsafe from diseases when travelling on a bus, but only 29% reported feeling unsafe inside a terminal. The analysis further reveals that the Sri Lankan public transport has failed to meet passenger expectations of measures taken against the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, more than 80% of the respondents agreed to pay a 10% premium fare for bus services having improved security, health, and hygiene features. It was also found that 90% of the bus passengers in the Kandy district have accessibility to a mobile phone for use of IT-based interventions and improved communications. These results would be useful in understanding the potential of implementing a technology solution when perceiving it as an immediate requirement.