Navigating the daily grind: a latent class analysis of bus commuter stress

In rapidly urbanising regions, public transport systems play a vital role in ensuring mobility, but they may also cause stress for users due to adverse conditions along the journey. Despite a growing body of research, limited attention has been given to the heterogeneity of public bus commuter experiences and how these vary across different transit environments. Understanding the diversity of commuter stress during transit is critical for improving rider experience and advancing equitable transport planning. This paper examines the variability in transport stress patterns among bus commuters and explores their associations with socio-demographic characteristics and environmental stressors using latent class analysis (LCA) on survey data collected from over 5 000 commuters in Hong Kong, China. A four-class solution was identified, revealing distinct commuter stress experiences across bus stops, interchanges, and onboard environments. Findings show that the most stressed class accounts for approximately 21% of all commuters. Members of this class reported frequent and significant stress across multiple journey stages. Key stressors include congested, undersized waiting areas, exposure to extreme weather, unclear queueing systems, and the lack of real-time information at bus stops. Additional stressors include washroom facilities, seating at interchanges and onboard, conditions within bus compartments, uncomfortable bus temperatures, and inadequate travel information. In contrast, the smallest class (roughly 15%) comprises commuters with largely positive, stress-free experiences. The study concludes with practical policy recommendations, particularly targeting younger commuters and individuals in specific occupational sectors who are more vulnerable to elevated transport-related stress.