Posts Tagged ‘bus operator’
Why Passenger Surveys are a Transport Operator’s Best Friend
Even public transport operators who already use passenger surveys may not fully appreciate the multiple benefits that surveys can bring. Surveys provide an efficient method for conducting market research that will then help identify passenger dissatisfaction and they are also an ideal tool for measuring the effects of any improvements that have been implemented and can help promote the new initiatives.
Establishing a Starting Point
When embarking on any change management programme it is always good practice to establish a base line before any changes are made. This baseline survey can serve four purposes, it will:-
- allow the proper targeting of investment
- allow measurement of the effect of change
- assist in the moral of those implementing change
- ensure that new issues are kept separate from the original plan and budget
Targeting Investment
There are many areas of any public transport system that can cause passenger dissatisfaction all of which need to be monitored to ensure that the service being provided meets, and where possible, exceeds, performance level targets.
Issues that can be of concern to passenger include:-
- safety and security
- punctuality
- fares and ticket types
- capacity and overcrowding
- quality and design of vehicle
- cleanliness
- facilities at stations and terminals
- facilities for passengers with disabilities
Often limited resources and budgets means that investment needs to be carefully planned and properly targeted.
Passenger surveys allow operators to identify those areas that are of most concern to their customers. By analysing passenger feedback the operator can ensure that their improvement and investment plans are in line with passenger demands and concerns. Issues can be classified into high and low priority, as well as long and short term plans.
Major capital investment such as the building of infrastructure for example new terminals, runways, laying new track or upgrading air traffic control or rail signalling equipment may take many years to implement. However, the initial survey may identify some high profile areas where a solution to the raised problems can be implemented almost immediately.
Measuring Change
From having established a comprehensive programme from an initial survey the objectives for running periodic surveys are twofold.
One objective will be to confirm that passenger concerns have been addressed by any changes and initiatives that are implemented. A second objective will be to promote and advertise the initiatives that have been implemented and also educate and inform passengers of ongoing improvements and future plans.
Passengers can appreciate that it can take time to resolve some of their concerns and will hopefully become more understanding towards the operators if they know that the problems have been identified and are not being ignored.
Keeping Moral
Those implementing change can often develop a siege mentality. Passengers may be slow to appreciate any improvements that are made as it can take time for changes to have an effect.
By canvassing passenger opinion and measuring the results against earlier surveys a successful change programme should see passenger issues change over time, some issues that were problems will no longer be raised.
Those tasked with implementing change and making improvements can become very demoralised as suffering passengers are slow to appreciate the efforts that are being made and are therefore negative in their comments. It is vital that a team implementing change can see clearly the effects of their efforts.
Identifying New and Old
In any long term change management programme issues can change over time. The situation can change instantly so that due to an event what was important, is no longer important and what wasn’t an issue, is suddenly an issue.
The baseline survey will ensure that the passengers concerns are chronologically documented. The needs of passengers evolve over time, individual requirements change, fashion changes, life styles develop along with technology, low cost budget carriers now compete with luxury travel and there is a clear demand for both, in some cases even form the same set of people depending on whether their travel is for business or pleasure. With surveys run periodically any changes in passenger attitudes can be monitored.
Online Surveys Make It Easy
Online surveys can reach a broad cross section of any travelling public. They are quick to design and implement and they provide feedback in a format that is ready for detailed analysis. There is no longer the need to publish a single one size fits all survey, being low cost and flexible multiple online surveys can be published that target specific groups who may have real concerns.
Online passenger surveys will make it easy to collate important market research data and will also allow an operator to demonstrate that they have a genuine commitment towards improving levels of passenger satisfaction.
Passengers will benefit from having an effective channel to raise issues and through regular surveys they will begin to appreciate that the operator is committed to investing and improving the service. The following are links to samples of Passenger Surveys
Sample Passenger Survey for an Airline Carrier: Airline Passenger Survey
Passenger Survey for a Train Operator: Train Operator Passenger Survey
Sample Passenger Survey for a Bus Operator: Bus Operator Passenger Survey
Passenger Surveys Make a Positive Difference
Those public transport operators who already use passenger surveys may not fully appreciate the multiple benefits that surveys can bring. Not only are surveys an efficient method of market research that will help identify areas of passenger dissatisfaction, they are also perfect for measuring the effects of improvements and can, at the same time, help promote new initiatives to customers using the service.
Establishing a Starting Point
When embarking on any change management programme it is always good practice to establish a base line before any changes are made. This baseline survey can serve four purposes, it will:-
- allow the proper targeting of investment
- allow measurement of the effect of change
- assist in the moral of those implementing change
- ensure that new issues are kept separate from the original plan and budget
Targeting Investment
There are many areas of any public transport system that can cause passenger dissatisfaction all of which need to be monitored to ensure that the service being provided meets, and where possible, exceeds, performance level targets.
Issues that can be of concern to passenger include:-
- safety and security
- punctuality
- fares and ticket types
- capacity and overcrowding
- quality and design of vehicle
- cleanliness
- facilities at stations and terminals
- facilities for passengers with disabilities
Often limited resources and budgets means that investment needs to be carefully planned and properly targeted.
Operators can use passenger surveys to confirm what their customers consider as the main issues. Through the analysis of passenger feedback the operator will be able to ensure that their improvement and investment plans are in line with passenger demands and concerns. Issues can be classified into high and low priority, as well as long and short term plans.
It may take many years for capital investment to take effect such as the building of new terminals, runways, laying new track or upgrading air traffic control or rail signalling equipment. However, the initial survey will almost certainly identify some main concerns that can be implemented almost immediately at a relative low cost.
Measuring Change
From having established a comprehensive programme from an initial survey the objectives for running periodic surveys are twofold.
One aim will be to check that passenger concerns have been properly addressed by any of the changes and initiatives that have been implemented. A second objective will be to advertise and promote the initiatives that have been implemented and also inform and educate passengers of ongoing improvements and future plans.
Passengers will hopefully be more positive when they can see that improvements have been made and if they know that problems have been recognised and are in the process of being addressed they can be more accepting of the outstanding problems.
Keeping Moral
Those implementing change can often develop a siege mentality. It can take time for any change to take effect and for the passengers to appreciate any improvement.
By canvassing passenger opinion and measuring the results against earlier surveys a successful change programme should see passenger issues change over time, some issues that were problems will no longer be raised.
Passengers will take time to appreciate progress and often those working on a change project will be demoralised with constant criticism from what is often a negative public. It is vital that a team implementing change can see clearly the effects of their efforts.
Identifying New and Old
In any long term change management programme issues can change over time. Events can happen that make what was important, no longer important and what wasn’t an issue, an issue.
A baseline survey will help ensure that the passengers concerns are chronologically documented. The needs of passengers is in constant flux, individual requirements change, low cost budget carriers now compete directly with luxury travel and even from the same sets of people there is a clear demand for both depending on whether their travel is for business or pleasure. Annual surveys will ensure that any changes in passenger attitudes are monitored.
Online Surveys Make It Easy
Online surveys can reach a broad cross section of any travelling public. They are quick and easy to design and implement and they provide feedback in a format that is ready for detailed analysis. Being low cost and flexibility online surveys allows the operator to target specific groups of passengers ensuring that their specific concerns are properly understood.
Passenger surveys will collect important market research intelligence and provide a platform to allow the operators to promote and advertise their commitment to achieving high levels of passenger satisfaction.
Passengers will benefit from having an effective channel to raise issues and through regular surveys they will begin to appreciate that the operator is committed to investing and improving the service. The following are links to samples of Passenger Surveys
Sample Passenger Survey for an Airline Carrier: Airline Passenger Survey
Passenger Survey for a Train Operator: Train Operator Passenger Survey
Sample Passenger Survey for a Bus Operator: Bus Operator Passenger Survey
Passenger Surveys – Not Just Market Research
Even public transport operators who already use passenger surveys may not fully appreciate the multiple benefits that surveys can bring. Surveys are not only an efficient method for conducting market research that will help towards identifying any passenger dissatisfaction, they are also the perfect tool for measuring the effects of any improvements and can simultaneously help promote new initiatives to the customers using the service.
Establishing a Starting Point
When embarking on any change management programme it is always good practice to establish a base line before any changes are made. This baseline survey can serve four purposes, it will:-
- allow the proper targeting of investment
- allow measurement of the effect of change
- assist in the moral of those implementing change
- ensure that new issues are kept separate from the original plan and budget
Targeting Investment
There are many areas of any public transport system that can cause passenger dissatisfaction all of which need to be monitored to ensure that the service being provided meets, and where possible, exceeds, performance level targets.
Issues that can be of concern to passenger include:-
- safety and security
- punctuality
- fares and ticket types
- capacity and overcrowding
- quality and design of vehicle
- cleanliness
- facilities at stations and terminals
- facilities for passengers with disabilities
Often limited resources and budgets means that investment needs to be carefully planned and properly targeted.
Operators can use passenger surveys to ascertain from their customers what the main concerns are. By analysing passenger feedback the operator can ensure that their improvement and investment plans are in line with passenger demands and concerns. Issues can be classified into low and high priority, as well as short and long term plans.
Major capital investment such as the building of infrastructure for example new terminals, runways, laying new track or upgrading air traffic control or rail signalling equipment may take many years to implement. However, significant problems can be identified by the initial survey that have a quick and simple solution and that can be immediately resolved for a minimal cost.
Measuring Change
From having established a comprehensive programme from an initial survey the objectives for running periodic surveys are twofold.
An important objective will be to ensure that the changes and initiatives that are implemented have been effective in addressing passenger issues. A second objective will be to promote and advertise the initiatives that have been implemented and also educate and inform passengers of ongoing improvements and future plans.
Passengers need to know that their concerns have been understood and once that they know that the operators have acknowledged the problems and are taking steps to address them they can become more tolerant towards the outstanding problems.
Keeping Moral
Those implementing change can often develop a siege mentality. It can take time for changes to take effect and for any improvements to be noticed by the passengers.
By monitoring passenger opinion and measuring the results against earlier surveys a successful change programme should see passenger issues change over time, some issues that were problems will no longer be raised.
Passengers who are suffering can be very impatient that improvements are not instant and their negativity can cause those tasked with implementing change to become demoralised. It is important that a team implementing change can see clearly the effects of their efforts.
Identifying New and Old
In any long term change management programme issues can change over time. The situation can change instantly so that due to an event what was important, is no longer important and what wasn’t an issue, is suddenly an issue.
A baseline survey will make sure that the passengers concerns are chronologically documented. Passengers are an evolving group, individual travel arrangements change, fashion changes, life styles develop along with technology. Annual surveys will ensure that any changes in passenger attitudes are monitored.
Online Surveys Make It Easy
Online surveys can reach a broad cross section of any travelling public. They are quick and easy to design and implement and they provide feedback in a format that is ready for detailed analysis. Because of the flexibility and low cost of online surveys it is practical to publish multiple surveys that target specific groups ensuring that the needs of people are fully understood.
Online surveys will ensure that important market research intelligence is gathered and provides a platform to the operators to enable them to promote and advertise their quest to achieve high levels of passenger satisfaction.
Passengers will benefit from having an effective channel to raise issues and through regular surveys they will begin to appreciate that the operator is committed to investing and improving the service. The following are links to samples of Passenger Surveys
Sample Passenger Survey for an Airline Carrier: Airline Passenger Survey
Passenger Survey for a Train Operator: Train Operator Passenger Survey
Sample Passenger Survey for a Bus Operator: Bus Operator Passenger Survey
Passenger Surveys Deliver Many Benefits
Even public transport operators who already use passenger surveys may not fully appreciate the multiple benefits that surveys can bring. Surveys are not only an efficient method for conducting market research that will help towards identifying any passenger dissatisfaction, they are also the perfect tool for measuring the effects of any improvements and can simultaneously help promote new initiatives to the customers using the service.
Establishing a Starting Point
When embarking on any change management programme it is always good practice to establish a base line before any changes are made. This baseline survey can serve four purposes, it will:-
- allow the proper targeting of investment
- allow measurement of the effect of change
- assist in the moral of those implementing change
- ensure that new issues are kept separate from the original plan and budget
Targeting Investment
There are many areas of any public transport system that can cause passenger dissatisfaction all of which need to be monitored to ensure that the service being provided meets, and where possible, exceeds, performance level targets.
Issues that can be of concern to passenger include:-
- safety and security
- punctuality
- fares and ticket types
- capacity and overcrowding
- quality and design of vehicle
- cleanliness
- facilities at stations and terminals
- facilities for passengers with disabilities
Often limited resources and budgets means that investment needs to be carefully planned and properly targeted.
With passenger surveys operators can identify those areas that are of most concern to their customers. Through the analysis of passenger feedback the operator will be able to ensure that their improvement and investment plans are in line with passenger demands and concerns. Issues can be classified into high and low priority, as well as long and short term plans.
Major capital investment such as the building of infrastructure for example new terminals, runways, laying new track or upgrading air traffic control or rail signalling equipment may take many years to implement. However, the initial survey can also lead to some high profile problem areas being identified that have solutions that can be implemented almost immediately.
Measuring Change
From having established a comprehensive programme from an initial survey the objectives for running periodic surveys are twofold.
An important objective will be to ensure that the changes and initiatives that are implemented have been effective in addressing passenger issues. A second objective will be to advertise and promote the initiatives that have been implemented and also inform and educate passengers of ongoing improvements and future plans.
Passengers may be more positive if they can see that improvements have been made and more accepting of outstanding problems if they know that problems have been recognised and are in the process of being addressed.
Keeping Moral
Those implementing change can often develop a siege mentality. Not all the changes that are made will have an immediate effective and it may take some time before the passengers appreciate the change.
By canvassing passenger opinion and measuring the results against earlier surveys a successful change programme should see passenger issues change over time, some issues that were problems will no longer be raised.
Those tasked with implementing change and making improvements can become very demoralised as suffering passengers are slow to appreciate the efforts that are being made and are therefore negative in their comments. It is vital that a team implementing change can see clearly the effects of their efforts.
Identifying New and Old
In any long term change management programme issues can change over time. The situation can change instantly so that due to an event what was important, is no longer important and what wasn’t an issue, is suddenly an issue.
A baseline survey will make sure that the passengers concerns are documented chronologically. Passengers are themselves an evolving group, individual travel arrangements change, fashion changes, life styles develop along with technology. Annual surveys will allow changes in passenger attitudes to be monitored.
Online Surveys Make It Easy
Online surveys can reach a broad cross section of any travelling public. They are quick and easy to design and implement and they provide feedback in a format that is ready for detailed analysis. The low cost and flexibility of online surveys allows passenger concern to be targeted at specific groups and particular concerns.
Online passenger surveys provide operators with valuable market research data and will establish a platform to advertise and promote their commitment to passenger satisfaction.
Passengers will benefit from having an effective channel to raise issues and through regular surveys they will begin to appreciate that the operator is committed to investing and improving the service. The following are links to samples of Passenger Surveys
Sample Passenger Survey for an Airline Carrier: Airline Passenger Survey
Passenger Survey for a Train Operator: Train Operator Passenger Survey
Sample Passenger Survey for a Bus Operator: Bus Operator Passenger Survey