Determinants of school bus service satisfaction in private schools in Ghana: Managerial implications

Abstract

Although School Bus Transportation Services (SBTS) enhance safe and supervised travel that impacts educational outcomes, there is a growing service decline in some private schools in Ghana. Given the dearth of research on SBTS satisfaction in Africa's private schools, policymakers and education administrators are unable to find managerial solutions. This study investigates the determinants of school bus service satisfaction in the Sunyani Municipality, Ghana, using a survey of 403 schoolchildren and 40 staff members from twenty private schools. Multivariate analyses showed that the frequency of bus breakdowns is a critical determinant of ridership, whereas cost is insignificant. Satisfaction depends on bus service information, serviceability, drivers' empathy towards riders, safety/security, the physical appearance of crew and buses, and responsiveness/reliability of services. Notably, there is no transport policy or department regulating SBTS management in Ghana's private schools. Stakeholders can use the findings of this study to create a policy framework to improve the management of SBTS.