Understanding the Needs of Rural Transit Drivers for Recruitment and Retention.
Presenter Type
UNO Graduate Student (Doctoral)
Major/Field of Study
Public Administration
Advisor Information
Dr. Josie Schafer
Location
MBSC Ballroom Poster # 104 - G (Doctoral)
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
24-3-2023 10:30 AM
End Date
24-3-2023 11:45 AM
Abstract
Many industries across Nebraska are experiencing workforce shortages, and the transit industry is no exception. Recently, the University of Nebraska at Omaha Center for Public Affairs Research partnered with the Nebraska Safety Center at the University of Nebraska at Kearney to conduct a survey of transit drivers across Nebraska. This survey was informed by an informal focus group with six transit managers representing the six different mobility management regions of Nebraska in the fall of 2022. A common concern among all transit managers was the ability to recruit and retain drivers for their agencies. Therefore, the purpose of this survey was to hear directly from drivers currently working in transit agencies about what can be done to better recruit and retain drivers. The driver survey was administered electronically and by mail. A Qualtrics survey link was sent to all transit managers in Nebraska to be forwarded to transit drivers. Additionally, paper surveys were sent to all transit agencies receiving 5311 grant funds. Through the survey, we were able to understand the values that current drivers found most important when it came to recruitment and retention. We were also able to understand what training current drivers valued most and the type of working environments that these drivers often face. Our hope from our findings is to offer vital insights that could improve and assist in the recruitment and retention efforts of Nebraska’s rural transit agencies.
Scheduling
10:45 a.m.-Noon
Understanding the Needs of Rural Transit Drivers for Recruitment and Retention.
MBSC Ballroom Poster # 104 - G (Doctoral)
Many industries across Nebraska are experiencing workforce shortages, and the transit industry is no exception. Recently, the University of Nebraska at Omaha Center for Public Affairs Research partnered with the Nebraska Safety Center at the University of Nebraska at Kearney to conduct a survey of transit drivers across Nebraska. This survey was informed by an informal focus group with six transit managers representing the six different mobility management regions of Nebraska in the fall of 2022. A common concern among all transit managers was the ability to recruit and retain drivers for their agencies. Therefore, the purpose of this survey was to hear directly from drivers currently working in transit agencies about what can be done to better recruit and retain drivers. The driver survey was administered electronically and by mail. A Qualtrics survey link was sent to all transit managers in Nebraska to be forwarded to transit drivers. Additionally, paper surveys were sent to all transit agencies receiving 5311 grant funds. Through the survey, we were able to understand the values that current drivers found most important when it came to recruitment and retention. We were also able to understand what training current drivers valued most and the type of working environments that these drivers often face. Our hope from our findings is to offer vital insights that could improve and assist in the recruitment and retention efforts of Nebraska’s rural transit agencies.