Those public transport operators who already use passenger surveys may not fully appreciate the multiple benefits that surveys can bring. Surveys are the ideal way to gather market research information that once analyzed can help identify problems and spawn initiatives required to address them, further surveys can monitor the initiatives effectiveness and promote the changes to the customers.

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 confirm those issues 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 by priority and if they can be addressed in the short or long terms.

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, it is also a high possibility that the initial survey may identify some main passenger concerns that can be resolved quick and for minimal 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 promote and advertise the initiatives that have been implemented and also educate and inform 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. Passengers can be slow to appreciate any improvements as changes can be implemented that will take time before they become effective.

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.

It will take time for passengers to fully appreciate progress and often those working on a change project will need to brace themselves for a barrage of criticism from what is often an impatient public. It is essential 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.

Taking a baseline survey will allow issues that are raise by the passengers to be recorded chronologically. 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. Monthly 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 passenger surveys will provide operators with essential market research data and will establish a platform to allow them to advertise and promote their commitment to high levels of passenger satisfaction.

The passengers themselves benefit greatly by having an effective channel to raise issues and through periodic surveys will begin to appreciate the operator’s goal to continually invest and improve 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

Since the late 1960s, concern for the welfare of the planet has matured from a radical movement to a mainstream concern for the vast proportion of people on the planet. So it’s no longer the dope smoking, dreg logged hippy but the mums and dads of nations that want to do the “right thing”.

What’s the intention of being green

There are many expressions that are used interchangeably in this dialogue. All the way back in 1987 the Brutland Commission succinctly identified that being green, or sustainable meant, “Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.

This identifies the end point clearly and succinctly. In practicality this means that governments need to lead, companies need to green innovate, consumers need to become green consumers and communities need to encourage and inform, so they all change behaviors to go green.

Sustainability demands that, ideally, all  personal behaviors, business practices and government decisions should be carried out with the idea in mind that they will have consequences on  the planet, its resources and its future inhabitants. Widespread behavioral change is an imperative.

Acting green to keep our blue planet

Opportunities for your business from going green, and being green gives you an edge in a progressively “greening” world market. When you’ve done some work on greening your business, you will perhaps have some great green products to sell to your clients. When marketing those products, be sure to present only the green credentials able to be corroborated.

Absolutely, green business is booming and it is becoming more in the minds of consumers. Whilst the Global Financial Crisis has caused the industry to slow its growth, there are opportunities for companies with green gifts and other fare, to creatively present their items, especially where they are competitively priced.

The procedures for forming green businesses is no great secret. But green businesses needs green consumers, so both MUST grow hand in hand.

As this is known, the planet will slowly move to being”greener”.

One thing that is a prime requirement for one and all is nothing else than entertainment. After continuous work, the monopoly that builds, clouds up the mind. This monopoly if not treated in time, can lead to loss of passion towards work. Loss in enthusiasm not only affects the person’s interest but also leads to loss of competancy. Degradation of competancy conquers the idea of recruiting proficient experts all over the world for the achievement of a task. Thus, to end the monopoly of several employees, government has planned to systemize some amusing events for our technical experts. The latest news is that this time instead of models and machos, our technical experts will fire up the ramp. The society of professionals has decided to organize a ramp show for our Boca Raton Electricians. This definitely sounds fascinating. But even more interesting is the fact that the dress theme and code for them has to be in harmony with the type of work they do. Now, for electricians, the dress in accordance to their work has to be something with illumination effects. The outfit for the electricians is being prepared by some of the very famous designers who run their own booming brand couture. Once costume is designed, electricians themselves would plant the extra effects in them. The contest would mainly comprise of the fight based on how superb the special effects are. Sounds interesting! The battle would also consist Boca Raton Plumbers (Need one? click here!), who too will adhere to the outfit code for the show. For them also the famous designers will design the dress and plumbers themselves would embed the special effects. The special effects for the plumber dress would embrace something related to fountain, showers and some aqua effects. When these plumbers will walk down to the ramp, they will probably splash the audience with their aqua effects. Hearing all this, Boca Raton Roofers, agitated enough, are also demanding some fun activities for them too. It seems everyone wants fun and play. Childish enough!