Long working hours, little time for rest and constant fatigue – the bus driver profession is increasingly linked to health problems, according to a new study.
A new study shows that bus drivers are increasingly facing health consequences due to working conditions, including long hours, lack of recovery and accumulated fatigue.
Gilbert D'Alessandro, who has 37 years of experience as a bus driver for the public transport company in Fribourg, says he loves his profession and wouldn't change it for anything, but admits that working conditions have worsened over the years.
"The strain is constantly increasing. It's paradoxical: 37 years ago we had old vehicles without technology, but less pressure. Today we have very modern equipment, but also more traffic, scooters and bicycles in the bus lanes," he told Swiss public broadcaster RTS.
He works an average of 8 to 12 hours a day behind the wheel – a distance similar to the commute from Freiburg to Barcelona. To maintain a better work-life balance, he has reduced his hours from 100% to 70%. “I always start the day with a smile because I love my job, but in the evening when I get home I am very tired,” he says.
Financial pressure and physical fatigue
Malika Meyrat, a bus driver in La Chaux-de-Fonds, is similarly affected. After seven years on the job, the 35-year-old says the changes in traffic have directly affected her health.
"This manifests itself in muscle pain, especially in the neck, shoulders, and lower back," she says.
In German-speaking Switzerland, the working conditions of public transport drivers have also become a topic of debate. In Winterthur this spring, a strike was on the verge, while in the city of Zurich, workers have also protested for better working conditions.
Unions say that, although companies are complying with legal regulations, the situation needs to be improved. “Working conditions need to be significantly improved, especially by reducing long working days,” says Pablo Guarino of the transport workers’ union. “Financial pressure is often transferred to working conditions,” he warns.
A third of staff feel exhausted
Studies in Switzerland show that bus drivers are exposed to health risks, including high stress and other physical and psychological problems. The Trapheac project has been launched in the French-speaking region, which has analyzed working conditions in this sector.
Initial results show that about a third of respondents feel exhausted.
Experts propose concrete measures, such as creating rest rooms for drivers. “A space for rest and meals has been shown to reduce stress levels,” says Irina Guseva-Canu, a professor at the University of Lausanne and part of the study.
Sector under pressure due to staff shortage
The health burden of drivers comes at a challenging time for public transport in Switzerland. By 2030, a large proportion of employees are expected to retire, especially drivers. To cope with the shortages, companies are increasingly relying on post-retirement employment and new training programs, but the sector continues to face a significant labor shortage./Albinfo.ch/
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