TRANSIT's Rapid Survey on MRT Proposals

All,

For those in Malaysia, especially in Kuala Lumpur, you might have read or heard about the new MRT proposals that will, to large extent, affect public transportation in KL. TRANSIT is currently conducting a rapid survey to get a broad and initial feedback on the rail network that can best cater for the needs of the Klang Valley.

Please read their critical evaluation on this issue here:

Have your say and take the poll here:

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More on commuting in the news

The Age: Commuters defend against the attack of the space invaders - Jared Thomas's research

Physorg: Public transport behaviours explained

DiscoveryNews: Public Transportation Passengers Avoid Getting Social

AKT: How We Choose Who To Sit Next To

Fast Company: Is Public Transportation Too Public?

Daily Mail: Two years, £500,000 and 178 pages to tell us that we want our trains to be on time and uncrowded - Davis Associates' research

The Evening Standard: Overcrowded trains are 'shaming Britain'

The Temasek Review: Singaporeans dismayed with SMRT CEO’s reply on train overcrowding

Businessweek: Extreme Commuting: More workers are willing to travel three hours a day. But what is the long-term cost?

The Connexion: Companies hit by commuting stress

WHYY: Quiet please!

HP: Why commuting is bad for business

HP: Rescue your staff from commuting hell

News8 WTNH.com: How's Your Commute?

Loudoun County Government: Commuting Options Employer Services

BBCh2g2: Public Transport Etiquette

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Why commuting could be making you fat

From Weight Loss Resources

According to new research, our daily commute to work could be adding inches to our waistlines as we seek comfort in high-fat snacks such as crisps and chocolate. The study, carried out by market analyst Datamonitor, discovered that in Britain we spend more money on snacks than any other country in Europe – on average £204 per person each year. But at the same time, we’re also making more journeys each day – 6.4 trips a day compared to just 4.5 trips each day in the rest of Europe. Datamonitor analyst Danielle Rebelo, says, “Stress levels are often higher while people are commuting and transport problems and cramped conditions during the rush hour mean consumers are seeking comfort from eating and drinking on the move.”

Weight Loss Resources says…

The boredom of waiting for a bus or train – followed by the journey – means many of us resort to chocolate or crisps to keep us going. Even car journeys can see us munching on sweets as we get stuck in a jam or grabbing a high-fat snack when we fill up with petrol. The best solution is to always keep a piece of fruit in your bag for times when hunger – or boredom – hits.

Better still, turn your commute into a workout. Walking or cycling to work instead of driving or using public transport is one of the easiest ways to build the recommended 30 minutes of exercise five times a week into your life. Plus it will give you time to prepare for the day ahead or help you wind down after a hard day in the office – without you feeling the need to fill up on sugary or fatty snacks. Check out how many calories you could burn each working day.

Commuting method (Calories burned in 30 minutes)
Sitting in a bus, car or train (45)
Brisk walking (168)
Cycling (269)

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PsyPAG 2010

Abstract accepted by the 25th PsyPAG Conference 2010 for oral presentation. PsyPAG is a national organisation for all psychology postgraduates and is funded by the Research Board of the British Psychological Society. The conference will be conducted from 21st to 23rd July 2010 at Sheffield University and Sheffield Hallam University.

Commuting stress: Consequences and implications for employee well-being

Unlike research on environmental variables, interpersonal relationships, personal characteristics, and organisational factors, all of which have been empirically supported as the common sources of employee stress, evidence on the effects of commuting on their well-being is relatively scarce. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between commuting and individual and organisational well-being among employees who commute to work using light rail transits or commuter services on a regular basis. It is predicted that employees with high commuting stress levels would report commuting for longer duration, and workers with high commuting stress levels would report higher levels of commute displeasure, physical or somatic symptoms experienced, and intention to quit but lower levels of job and life satisfactions. A passenger survey, which comprised of questions on commute duration, transportation mode, demographical data, and variables regarding overall commuting experience as well as general work and life activities, was completed by 660 employees in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Preliminary correlational analyses showed that commute duration was significantly correlated with commuting stress, and the impacts of commuting stress were evident in terms of increased commute displeasures, more physical or somatic symptoms experienced, and more intention to quit. However, contrary to expectations, there were small but significant correlations found between commuting stress and job and life satisfactions. Theoretical and practical implications for understanding the overall commuting patterns as well as traveling behaviors are discussed. Some recommendations for future research are also offered.

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