You are on page 1of 39

CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 1

Chapter I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

Transportation is important of the socioeconomic development. Vital in

towns and cities which caters for the movement of people for the different

human activities. Put simply, if we can’t move people from place to place

whether by air, sea, or land we don’t have an industry but Tourism is also

important because it is one of the largest industries that could boost development

in the countryside. According to Kshitiz Thakur (2015) Tourism contributes

towards complete growth and development of a country: one, by bringing

numerous economic value & benefits; and, second, helping in build country's

brand value, image & identity.

In cities of developed nations, a good transportation mix generally exists,

that is, the presence of non-motorized and private motor vehicles and a good

range public transportation system notably buses in different sizes as well as

choices in trains and monorails. On the other hand, especially with that of

public transportation, the opposite seems to be happening in most cities of

developing countries, particularly in Southeast Asia. The lack of common or

traditional forms of a public transport network and infrastructure such as mass

public transportation is usually substituted with other innovative modes of public

transportation.
CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 2

The case of the Philippines in Southeast Asia is not an exception. Aside

from the usual buses and taxis, it is a country where all modes of imaginable

means of motorized public transport seem to ply the roads as exemplified by the

presence of jeepneys, multi-cabs, mega-taxis and the three wheeled vehicle

"tricycles."

Tricycle is the most popular and the main service of transportation here

in Tuguegarao City. Due to growing demand and population growth, the numbers

of tricycles have been increased. The resident, passenger, and tourist of

Tuguegarao City experiencing tricycle driver ask them to pay capacity. One of

the main problem is that the tricycle drivers are over charging the commuters.

Another problem passenger and tourist might encounter here in Tuguegarao

City is traffic, and the tricycle drivers are the one causing this traffic. We cannot

discount the fact that tourist will have negative connotations on transportation.

There are many kind of tourist and passenger are friendly or rude, so that’s

why our tricycle drivers should be aware of this manner.

The purpose why we came up with this research is to let out readers be

aware of what tourist and other passenger think about of our tricycle drivers

and researchers also desired to how tricycle drivers are as the main factors why

we have tourist here in Tuguegarao City.

Tuguegarao City is the most populated place in Region 2 with the total

population of 153,102 as of 2015. With this growing population , there should be


CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 3

a better plan for the future. Tuguegarao City has the smallest land area

compared to other cities. All government agencies are located at Carig Regional

Center. People from Isabela, Batanes, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino are going to

Tuguegarao City. People are coming here and Carig is very far. If you don’t

know the streets, places and exact fair rate, tricycle drivers will ask you to pay

capacity. One of this main problem is that the tricycle drivers are overcharging

the commuters.

The City of Tuguegarao was called the “City of Capacity”. The tricycle

drivers use the word capacity to collect more than the fare rates and some of

them ask at least 50 pesos for one ride only but some of the tricycle drivers are

still following the fair rate.

Tuguegarao City, a no popular tourist destination is the hottest city in

the Philippines and maybe one of the noisiest cities too because of the use of

its tricycles. Just like any other building country, our city has air and noise

pollution problem. The pollution is mainly caused because of these poorly

maintained tricycles. And these is one of the factors that tourist doesn’t visit the

place.
CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 4

Conceptual Framework

1. Profile of the participant


2. Problem encountered by
the tricycle drivers.
3. Problem encountern by
Assesment of the Identified
the tourist and residential perception to the participant
commuters; and the effect
on it.
tricycle drivers perception in
Participants and suggestions and tourist by the tricycle drivers and
and recomendations. selected tourist of
4. Practice Theory explain Tuguegarao City.
how commuters feel while
participant.
commuting.

PRACTICE THEORY

Figure 1. A paradigm showing the framework of the study

This is study supports the practice theory of Schatzki 1996 which explains how

social being/with their diverse motivates and their diverse intensions, make and and

transform the world which they live in.

Shove (2003), seeks to understand the connections between commutingand the

social institutions and material infrastractures that prouduce and sustain them.

The first box includes the profile of the respondents; their perception on

tricycle drivers in Tuguegarao City in terms of services, values and contribution

to the economy of Tuguegarao City; the problems they encountered with the

tricycle drivers of Tuguegarao City and their suggestions and recommendations to

improve the service of the tricycle drivers in Tuguegarao City. It also contains
CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 5

the variable “significant difference on the respondents” perception on tricycle

drivers in Tuguegarao City when grouped according to profile variables.

The second box includes the assessment on the perception of the

respondent on the tricycle drivers as perceived by the selected students. In this

phase, the researchers collected data from randomly selected people in

Tuguegarao City.

The third box include the assessment of the respondents’ perception in

tricycle drivers of Tuguegarao City.

In conducting this study, in the end the study focus on the exposure

and activities that can be held in promoting and the perception of the tricycle

drivers. The attitude of the tricycle drivers and its effect in the tourism and

resident commuters of Tuguegarao City need to be studied in order to determine

its prospects for the next year. This study focused on the effect of the attitude

of the tricycle drivers in the tourism and resident commuters of Tuguegarao

City. This study is to determine how it influences the economic growth of

Tuguegarao City. This study well benefit the local government unit which will

give the strategy on how on their going to implement suggestions and

recommendation given by the researchers and participants on the following figure

shows the research paradigm of the study.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to assess the commuting experiences in Tuguegarao City.


CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 6

Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions:

1.What is the profile of the respondents in terms of :

1.1 age

1.2 gender

1.3 year and place of residency in the City

2. What are the problems encountered by the tricycle drivers in Tuguegarao

City?

3.What are the problems encountered by the tourist and residential commuter in

Tuguegarao City; and the effect on it ?

4. What are the suggestions and recommendations that can be given to improve

the service of the tricycle drivers of Tuguegarao City?

Significance of the Study

This study may be beneficial to the following:

Passengers. The result of this study will give the passengers information to become

fully aware of the things that tricycle drivers do here in Tuguegarao City.

Tricycle Drivers. To tell whether there is a significant effect in the decreasing number

of tourism that is caused by the number of the tricycle drivers in the city, and to find out

some reasons that have something to do with tricycle drivers.


CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 7

Researchers. The conduct of the study and its result will be beneficial to the researchers

in realizing and expanding their awareness on the attitude of the tricycle drivers in the

city.

Scope and Limitation

This study will focus on the commuting experiences in Tuguegarao City

and its effects of the people in Tuguegarao City and this study will explain the

experiences of the commuters in Tuguegarao City. This study is based on the

availability of the participants. The study will be conducted from December 2019

to February 2020. While many were offered the opportunity to participate in the

research study, the results could inevitably be limited to those students and other

individuals who completed and returned the survey. The subjects may also be

their own motivations for participating in the research study. It assumed that all

of the students who partook in the study answered truthfully and without bias.

Several additional limiting factors are present in the study.

Definition of Terms

The following terms are defined according to their operational use:

Attitude. It refers to the behavior of the tricycle drivers towards the tourists.

Destination. It is the place to which the tricycles is heading.

Pollution. The act of polluting or the state of being polluted by the tricycles.
CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 8

Profile. It is the characteristics of the participants available in Tuguegarao City which

include age,gender, year and place of residency.

Tourist. Is a person who is travelling.

Transportation. It is the act or way of travelling from one place to another.

Tricycle. A three wheeled vehicle use as the main transportation in Tuguegarao City.
CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 9

CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

The following studies and literature were accessed and ready by the

researchers to provide them with a better understanding of the concept and

variables which have direct bearing with the present study that will be

conducted.

This portion deals with related literatures and background insights that are

relevant to the study. This review will focus on the presentation of specific variables on

the struggles of the commuting experience of the commuters with regards to their

correspondence, reliability, and availability.

Public transport that is convenient, safe and cheap services that are accessible to

the society are what make the transportation reliable. As a sector that fulfills many

people, the type of public transport vehicles must be operated in compliance with the

road hierarchy, capacity and transportation demand that it served. A reliable public

transportation is believed to reduce the population of private vehicle operators in the

transportation sector. As a result, this would benefit the companies due to reduction of

traffic congestion, reduce fuel wasted, and lessen lost time which will also give benefits

on public health and on the environment. The travelling public has demand for

transport. However, bus services are often not reliable, not pleasant and harmful. It

plays a major role in the provision of public transport (Ab Manaf, L. 2015).
CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 10

The Psychological Theory, which is used to explain how public attitudes are

formed and impact on the way people behave. It sets out the psychological

model (the theory of planned behavior) that help interpret what people say about

what they do. The theory of planned behavior is best for explaining conscious

individual behavior where objective, rational factors such as cost and time are

important (Sherwin, Chatterjee, and Jain, 2014) and less good for more

‘automatic’ or habitual behavior’s, where ‘bounded rationality’ (Kahneman, 2003)

limits willingness to re-evaluate an established pattern, or in cases in which

emotions and perceptions are influential in the decision making process (Van Exel

and Rietveld, 2009)

Customer Satisfaction

A study on “Service Supply and Customer Satisfaction in Public

Transportation: The Quality Paradox” was deliberately designed to investigate the

relationship between the objective performance measures of public transport

services and the satisfaction perceived by commuters.

Descriptive means of research was jointly used to collect information and data

that completed the study. As a result, it was found that the lack of correlation between

the actual supply of public transport and the citizens’ overall assessments indicates that

the latter are not solely or even primarily based on the actual conditions of the transport

system. Moreover, there might also be a market effect, as a very small system is likely

to be used only by those who are already enthusiastic about public transport or by those
CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 11

who lack by any real alternatives. The Related study is similar with the current study

since both of it emphasizes on the public transportations services and satisfaction as

perceived by commuters. (Friman and Fellesson, 2009)

Public transport that is convenient, safe and cheap services that are accessible to

the society are what make the transportation reliable. As a sector that fulfills many

people, the type of public transport vehicles must be operated in compliance with the

road hierarchy, capacity and transportation demand that it served. A reliable public

transportation is believed to reduce the population of private vehicle operators in the

transportation sector. As a result, this would benefit the companies due to reduction of

traffic congestion, reduce fuel wasted, and lessen lost time which will also give benefits

on public health and on the environment.

Commuters Demand and Provision of Public Transport

The travelling public has demand for transport. However, bus services are often

not reliable, not pleasant and harmful. It plays a major role in the provision of public

transport (Ab Manaf, L. 2015).

Apontaku-Onayeni (2012) a study conducted among taxi drivers in Chicago

found that their poor health practices contributed to low risk profile. A recent study

conducted by Ncama (2013) reported that taxi drivers practiced unsafe sexual

intercourse without use or inconsistent use of condoms.


CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 12

This study became more significant as taxi drivers are a relatively autonomous

and hard-to-reach group, and there is proven paucity in knowledge about their health.

Most taxi drivers were of early adulthood to middle age. Taxi drivers have proven from

other studies in various countries to be a vulnerable group, leading an unhealthy

lifestyle in general with consequential health effects.

Student Satisfaction in Commuting

Aquino et al. (2012) emphasized on university students passenger’s satisfaction

commuting on tricycles in Koronadal City which focuses on drivers’ observance of

speed limit; hygiene and grooming; charging fare; politeness/respect toward passengers;

and familiarity of places. It was revealed that among the indicators, hygiene and

grooming of drivers found not satisfied and it was recommended to the local

government on the said locality to enforced tight rules concerning the matter while the

remaining indicators appeared to be satisfactorily met by the tricycle drivers.

The Behavior and Experience of Commuters and Drivers

Bajado C., Irene E, and Laurilla F.T. (2015) on their study which stressed that

despite some complaints on tricycle drivers, commuters preferred to ride tricycle due to

having a cheap fare, readily available, quiet and friendly environment.

The Commuters Attitude

Empathy. In La Union, the tricycle drivers have given due recognition by the

city government for their honesty in rendering services to the commuters. Moreover, the
CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 13

government encourage tricycle drivers to sustain and gave extra concern to the

commuters not just only to residents but also to tourists and non-residents as they are

ambassadors of goodwill and a role model of kindness, obedience and respect (Beleo, T.

2017).

The Reliability of Commuters and Drivers

Reliability. In City of Bohol, the local government spearheaded the resolution of

revocation of tricycle drivers franchise upon accumulation of several traffic violation

and breach of contract of carriage. In fact, the basic responsibility of tricycle for hire is

to transport the passengers safely to their destination. Moreover, extra care is required

from tricycle drivers in conveying commuters as they are entrusted the contract of

carriage without discrimination as provided by transportation and public utility law

(Bohol Chronicle, 2017)

Quality of Services

Summary on services of drivers.Budiono T. (2009) emphasized that in order to

atttract more commuters, public transport must have a high quality of service in order to

satisfy the passenger’s needs.

The Utilization of Public Transport

Moreover, ( Bwisa H.M. & Murambi D.N. 2014 ) stressed that, to level up the

utilization of public transport, the services must be designed and performed in the idea

that satisfy the required services by the commuters. Furthermore, it revealed on his
CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 14

study that drivers play an important role on the commuters’ satisfaction and

dissatisfaction, and since the drivers are unaware the passengers’ expectations it leads to

the drivers being indifferent. To address the concern, the combination of information

and the drivers is the way to success as the drivers is the main interaction with the

commuters.

A Mode of Transportation

Similarly, on the study (Godoy, O. 2015) 31 percent of the commuters in Lapa

City had a tricycle ride on daily basis which means that this was the typical mode of

transportation in the locality.

Service Capacity

The basic target of the dimension is to afford more facilities for the current or

potential customers and enhance the services capacity, through personalized or

customized service. (Guga D. & Mudenda C. 2017) describe empathy as the caring,

individualized attention that the firm provides its customers.

Transportation and Routes

On the other hand, the fare of habal-habal cost almost twice than tricycles since it

monopolizes some specific routes (Guillen, M.D. & Ishida H. 2003).


CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 15

A Characteristics of the Drivers and Transporters

Harr K.K.L. (2008) proposed that service providers should be diligent and

voluntary in helping their customers and in providing timely service. This dimension

demands that the service provider should be more flexible in solving their customers’

problems and requests. Firms even should have a capacity to customize services for

dealing with their customers’ special needs.

Appearance and Disposition of Vehicles Contribute to the Satisfaction of

Customers

Hllabiso G. and Mugozhi F. (2016) revealed that the appearance and disposition

of vehicles contribute to the satisfaction of customers. This view was justified by 89%

of the respondents. This includes the space of the vehicle cannot accommodate their

required number of passengers to board. Another problem is that most of public utility

drivers are untidy. In addition, being well groomed is imperative in giving comfortable

services to passengers. The absence of tangibles like bus stops with shelters is another

major criticism against this public transport service.

Satisfaction on Commuters Transport Service

Hlabisa G. and Mugozhi F. (2016) in their research on customers’ satisfaction

on commuters’ transport services pointed out those omnibuses public transportation is

not reliable because the conductors are dishonest about their precise destinations

indicated by the high response of 96%.


CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 16

The Major Problems for Most Respondents

Comparatively on the study of Mammo, F. (2010) is the unfixed time table of

travels is also one of the major problems for most respondents. It means that the first

passenger who board on the vehicle must patiently wait until it is filled up before it will

traverse. As a result, this would delay passengers in getting to their intended

destinations.

Commuters Complaints

Ninety-eight percent of the respondents was revealed in the study of Hlabisa G.

and Mugozhi F. (2016) that drivers, conductors, and operators are unresponsive to the

commuters in attending their complaints. This factor is due to the deficiency of

appropriate approach to do so in handling customers’ complaints. Moreover, no

suggestion boxes and cell numbers of bus operators can be used to address their

complaints. Again, there are no time tables for service delivery for the commuter

omnibuses. The other worth mentioning out coming from this research is that there are

no proper designated service access points for this service sector. Most of the

respondents pointed out that the commuter omnibuses stop everywhere even in the

middle of the road, and in no stopping zones. The other remarkable idea pertaining to

bus stops from the field is that these commuter omnibuses change the customer service

access points very frequently to the inconvenience of their clients. The research findings

also noted that these commuter omnibuses always shift their customer access points for

several reasons which include competing to get commuters.


CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 17

Empathy of Drivers Towards their Customer

Another concept came out from the research of Hlabiso G. and Mugozhi F.

(2016) that 95% of the respondents’ complaint is about the least empathy of drivers

towards their customers. In fact, they are courteous to passengers before getting into

their vehicles, however, they become ill-mannered towards passengers when they are

inside and have bought tickets. Also, they do not commiserate when passenger’s

property is lost. With that, they do not pay for it. In fact, on their ticket there is a

disclaimer to that effect. Additionally, the lack of empathy is also manifested when a

commuter forgot to collect his change, they eventually do not mind returning it to their

passenger voluntarily. Sometimes, the conductors of these commuter omnibuses use

subliminal strategies to hood wink their customers in telling them a lower bus fare

figure when one is not yet in the bus and only to be told a higher bus fare figure when

the commuter omnibus is already in transit and when is now problematic for a

passenger to then disembark.

Customers’ Satisfaction and Commuters’ Transport

Furthermore, a research on customers satisfaction and commuter transport in

Southern Africa revealed that 93% of the commuters comparing to only 7% indicated

that many of the drivers in several ways, do not instill assurance in their customers. The

commuter omnibus crew members in most cases do not have the required skills to

perform the required customer service and as such, it is no wonder why very often they

are rude to their customers. The main fact for this impropriety was that most of drivers
CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 18

as well as conductors are not trained on customer care issues. Besides, some of the

drivers do not have the right driver’s license to operate the vehicles and fleeing at high

speed from the manning road blocks of police because of inhibition. In this same light,

the research exposes that faulty vehicles also push the drivers to use dangerous and

illegal routes to elude the police. The other lack of assurance finding of this research is

that the drivers pass through red robots as well as driving in the wrong lane and all these

put into imperil the life of the passengers (Hlabiso G. & Mugozhi, F. 2016)

Factor on Customer Satisfaction is the Reliability of the Service

Likewise, Horus E.N. and Yeboah S.T. (2015) in their study on minicab taxi

services in Ghana also revealed that the second highest influencing factor on customer

satisfaction is the reliability of the service. This implied that readily availability of

vehicles at the stations, timely arrival of vehicles, timely arrivals at destination and

notification of delays were measured by commuters. The finding of the research shows

that commuters placed much importance on on-time pledged services and arriving on

destination on the reasonable time frame.

Provision of reliable service

Reliability is an important element of service quality, which determines the level

of passengers’ satisfaction as specified by Iles C. (2005) in his research in London.

Provision of reliable service enables service providers to retain passengers for a long

period. Passengers may be lost and may not be regained if the service is unreliable.

Those passengers who use urban transportation services are increasingly sensitive to
CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 19

waiting time and they are more satisfied with scheduled service, which habitually

operates exactly according to scheduled departure and arrival times by operating at the

appropriate frequency.

Passengers Favor and Disfavor

Kimwetich C.J. (2012) on his study states that 87 percent of the motorcycles

operators have not given safety tools to the passengers. Thus, 96 percent of the

passenger’s disfavor motorcycles for not abiding traffic rules and regulation that cause

accidents. The remaining more than 4 percent are unhappy with the rude behavior of

motorcycle drivers.

The Lack of Assurance and Poor Driving Skills

In Pakistan, a study conducted by Khurshid S. et. al (2012) disclosed that poor

customer care is felt by commuters due to poor driving skills of omnibuses drivers

which are regarded as lack of assurance. One of the reasons behind hapless accidents is

the driving manner of the driver. They tend to overtake other vehicles in competing for

customers. Their research also divulged that drivers drive recklessly in desire to board

more and more passengers that would cause a feeling of danger on commuters while on

travel.

The Major mode of Transportation and Destination of each Vehicles


CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 20

Martinez R. (2013) which states that, in City of Mati, tricycles and habal-habals

are the major mode of transportation which able to travel at any destination within the

locality.

Service Quality and the Characteristics of the Drivers

Mushi, L. (2013) on his study on public transportation proved that this service

quality dimension has the most significant effect comparing to responsiveness and

assurance. He stated that passengers came up with views on some few areas of interest

under this dimension. Physical appearance of drivers is another area which boosted

much the overall satisfaction of passengers.

Willingness to Help Customers

Mushi, L. (2013) states that the willingness to help customers is one of the

statements regarding the responsiveness dimension which happen to be among the most

significant factors influencing customer satisfaction. This statement was rated very low

in the questionnaires results.

In addition, his study revealed that passengers find it difficult for them to obtain

the reliable information regarding the transport service provided by Dar Express prior to

travel since company does not use user-friendly printed material such area-based

timetables, posters and brochures.


CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 21

Para Transit

Assurance. Nakamura, F., Okamura, E., and Tanphaisankun, G. (2009) stressed

that para transit would likely suffice the commuters need in terms of mobility.

Unfortunately, the quality of services does not satisfy the commuters though it was

acceptable. This dissatisfaction started from unsafe, uncomfortable, inconvenient and

unreliable serves delivered. Despite, commuters still willing to utilize para transit

services.

Problems Encountered by Tricycle Drivers

Responsiveness. Olea, R. (2016) states that problems encountered by tricycle

drivers is not simple, instead of being disrespectful to the commuters, they just have

their patience and they just let it go without any hesitation.

Fare Matrix

Moreover, in the study of (Rahman, A.R. 2012) states that few tricycles are

moving around due to its mountainous land area. Although fare matrix is regulated by

the local government unit (LGU) in km rate basis, the tricycle drivers in the area are

demanding fare price depending on the frequency of commuters. A commuter will pay

higher if he is the only one inside the tricycle.

Accessible Plain Topography


CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 22

Since tricycles can only be accessible on plain topography, motorcycle or

natively known as “habal-habal” is the only reachable transportation on the hilly areas

of the island. However, habal-habal fares demand higher price than any other modes of

transportation. Motorcycle drivers in the island demand their price depending on the

destination of the commuter.

The Build up of Characteristic

Verasamy S. et. al (2013) identifies assurance as knowledge and courtesy and

the ability of the service providers and its people to build trust and confidence.

Competence, courtesy, credibility and security are four determinants of this dimension.

The Tangibility of the Service Providers

Tangibility. Tangibles are the appearance of physical facilities, equipment, and

personnel of service providers (April, J. 2001). Since the tangible and visual elements of

the site will be critical to efficiency as well as to overall perceptions of the firm and the

brand, service providers are likely to use tangibles to enhance their image and convey

quality service to customers. Most providers also combine tangibles with another

dimension to create a service quality strategy for the firm (Zeithaml et al., 2006).

The Quality Paradox

A study on “Service Supply and Customer Satisfaction in Public Transportation”

was deliberately designed to investigate the relationship between the objective

performance measures of public transport services and the satisfaction and commuting
CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 23

experiences perceived by commuters. Descriptive means of research was jointly used to

collect information and data that completed the study. As a result, it was found that the

lack of correlation between the actual supply of public transport and the citizens’

overall assessments indicates that the latter are not solely or even primarily based on the

actual conditions of the transport system. Moreover, there might also be a market effect,

as a very small system is likely to be used only by those who are already enthusiastic

about public transport or by those who lack by any real alternatives. The Related study

is similar with the current study since both of it emphasizes on the public

transportations services and satisfaction as perceived by commuters. (Friman and

Fellesson, 2009)

Modal choice and Traffic Assignment

Another study on “An Investigation of Commuter Satisfaction and Experience in

the use of Muthurwa a Terminus, Nairobi, Kenya” was designed to investigate if who

are the satisfied commuters. The major objective of the study, they investigate the

commuter satisfaction in the used of Terminus of Muthurwa. The problem investigated

in this research is derived from a directional theoretical hypothesis. “Muthurwa

terminus does not meet commuter travel needs as per the four stage travel process of

trip origin, trip distribution, modal choice and traffic assignment”. It was found in the

study that the commuters in Muthurwa was not satisfied and it is a challenge to them as
CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 24

a commuter. Descriptive Method was used in this study to gather data and information.

This study is similar with the current since both of it identifies the satisfaction of

Students. (Wagikondi, 2013)

Experience and Satisfaction of the Impact of Public Transportation

Another study on “Examining the Factors that Impact Public Transport

Commuter’s Satisfaction and Experience” was established to find out the level of

stressed caused by commuting into Dublin City Centre and to determine the value

placed on the comfort and reliability of public transport services. Using online survey

methodology, it was found out those respondents who travel on a crowded transport

experience higher levels of commuting stress, due to increased invasion of personal

space and cramped, uncomfortable condition. It further concludes that long wait times

are most likely caused by services not running according to schedule, which, in turn,

induces stress due to lack of reliability and a diminished sense of control. The longer

this wait-time, the more intense these feelings of stress. This study is comparable with

the current study since both of them explored on the satisfaction as to public

transportation. (Cantwell, 2000)

Customer Reference

On the other hand, a study on “A Study of Customer withReference to Tata

Motor Passenger Vehicles” was design to ascertain the customer satisfaction level Tata

motor passenger vehicles. Using exploratory cum descriptive method with 100

respondents. It found out that the overall study reveals that it was found that the

costumer are mostly satisfied with price, design, safety, mileage, interior space, status
CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 25

brand name, comport level, spares part and after sale service. In this study concluded

that mostly Tata customers purchased car on loan, used the Tata car for personal

purpose, having the car from 1-5 year and they are recommended by their friends as

well as take preventive maintenance from authorized dealer. In case of level of

customer satisfaction , it was found that the customer are mostly satisfied with price,

design, safety, mileage, interior space, status brand name, comfort level, spares part and

after s because sale service. Finding pertaining to most influencing show that most

influencing factor for customer satisfaction.

Treating Commuters as Resident Students

Despite the increase in numbers, colleges have not adapted their approach or

services to address these changes (Likins, 1986). Dugan et al. (2008) note that colleges

continue to utilize “programs and interventions designed for residential students with

commuter student populations under the assumption that the effect on learning will be

equivalent” (p. 283). The practice of ignoring or misunderstanding the unique needs of

the commuter student “silent majority” (Wilson, 2003) is evident in a series of myths

about commuters identified by Rhatigan (1986). These myths include the belief that

commuters are “less committed to their education” (p. 4), “are less able academically”

(p. 5), and “have no interest in the campus beyond their classes” (p. 5). Despite the lack

of empirical evidence to support these claims, colleges continue to function under these

assumptions (Dugan et al., 2008; Inman & Pascarella, 1997). Nontraditional students

are at risk of feeling unsafe and unwelcome on campus (Griffin et al., 2008; Munoz,

2009; Museus & Quaye, 2009; Pope et al., 2009). Even though the vast majority of
CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 26

current college students do not fit the mold of a “typical college student,” colleges

continue to base their physical design and services on a mythical concept of universal

student development (Pope et al., 2009) that excludes 12 many of their students. To

compound the problem, instead of examining the defects in their assumptions and the

structures based on those assumptions (McLauren, 2003), colleges continually view

students from non-dominant groups as operating at a deficit (Davies, Safarik, &

Banning, 2003; Villalpando, 2003) and in need of adjusting to the institution (Strange &

Banning, 2001; Museus, 2008) – as opposed to the institution adjusting to them.

Comparing Commuters to Resident Students

This negative perception is further strengthened by the fact that most of the existing

research is focused on comparing residential and commuter students (Banning &

Hughes, 1986; Dugan et al., 2008; Jacoby, 1989). Chickering (1974) published the first

major study of commuter students, Commuting Versus Resident Students, which has

shaped and reinforced the misperceptions and negative stereotypes of commuters

(Jacoby, 1989) and the myths identified by Rhatigan (1986). Chickering’s view of

commuters as “the have nots” and resident students as “the haves” (p. 49) on the basis

of pre-college characteristics of lower socio-economic status, limited past

achievements, and less educated parents supports the view that commuters are

functioning at a deficit, instead of simply experiencing college from a unique and valid

perspective (Jacoby, 1989).

Fallacy of Assuming Commuter Population Homogeneity


CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 27

Along with varying degrees of connection to their families and home

communities, commuter students are a highly diverse group, with significant differences

according to living situation, employment status, educational goals, age, enrollment

status (full time versus part time), and other factors (Rhatigan, 1986). Unfortunately

NCES does not gather data that cross-reference living arrangement with employment

status, race, age, sex, or enrollment status (A. D’Amico, personal communication,

October 28, 2013), therefore national data is not available. However, research on

commuter students often emphasizes the population’s diversity (Jacoby, 2000; Kuh,

Gonyea, & Palmer, 2001; Newbold, Mehta, & Forbus, 2011; Ortman, 1995; Rhatigan,

1986). The significance of this diversity is emphasized by Banning and Hughes (1986),

who note that “commuting students represent the largest and most complex and diverse

aggregation of students in higher education” (p. 23). 15 Unfortunately, there are few

studies that acknowledge the complexity of the commuter student population (Dugan et

al., 2008). In one of these rare studies, Dugan et al. (2008) found significant differences

between independent (living on their own) commuters and dependent (living with

parents) commuters in relation to their leadership efficacy.

Commuters as Nontraditional Students

(Choy, 2002)The diversity of the commuter student population is related to its

overlap with students deemed “nontraditional.” In the report Nontraditional

Undergraduates,NCES noted that 73% of students in 1999-2000 met one of the


CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 28

following criteria for nontraditional status: financial independence, part time

enrollment, not attending college directly after high school graduation, full time

employment, single parenthood, claiming dependents, and having a GED (as opposed to

a high school diploma). However, the report goes on to explain that the term

“nontraditional” is imprecise (Choy, 2002). To illustrate this point, a series of articles

on nontraditional students were reviewed (Bean & Metzner, 1985; Christie & Dinham,

1991; Choy, 2002; Gilardi & Guglielmetti, 2011; Gilman et al., 2006; Ogren, 2003; Tan

& Pope, 2005; Taniguchi & Kaufman, 2005; Westbrook & Sedlacek, 1991; Wolfe,

1993; Wyatt, 2011) to get a sense for the variations in definitions. Bean & Metzner

(1985), who are cited by many other researchers (Choy, 2002; Christie & Dinham,

1991; Gilardi & Guglielmetti, 2011; Ogren, 2003; Tan & Pope, 2005; Wolfe, 1993)

identify age, enrollment status, and residence as the three key markers of nontraditional

students. As such, they define a nontraditional student as “older than 24, or does not live

in a campus residence (e.g. is a commuter), or is a part-time student, 16 or some

combination of these three factors” (p. 489). As this definition appears to have the most

agreement amongst researchers, it is the definition utilized in this study. However, it is

important to explore the other aspects of the various definitions to make a point about

the social construction of nontraditional identity and the difficulty of providing

appropriate services for students.

Growing Commuter Populations

(Attewell & Lavin, 2007). Today’s definition of the traditional college student

differs considerable from the past. According to Attewell and Lavin (2007), less
CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 29

than a quarter of undergraduate students today fit the description of a full-time

student entering college straight out of 12 high school, living on campus, and not

working due to financial support from home (Attewell & Lavin, 2007). Not only does

today’s college student likely have a job of some sort outside of his or her classes, but a

sizeable portion of the college student population opts to commute to their college or

university from a nearby area (Newbold, Mehta, & Forbus, 2011). The National

Clearinghouse for Commuter Programs (NCCP) and the Council for the Advancement

of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) both define commuter students as those who

do not live in university-owned housing (Jacoby & Garland, 2004). In other words, one

whose “home and campus are not synonymous” (Commuter Students: Myths, Realities,

2006, p. 1). According to this NCCP definition, commuter students account for over

80% of the average institution (Commuter Students: Myths, Realities, 2006).

Distinctions can be made between types of commuter students. Commuters who drive

to campus tend to differ in certain areas when compared to their peers who are within

walking distance. Driving commuters are more likely to be older, first-generation, and

students of color. These commuters are also more likely to be working to support family

members. This may also explain the fact that driving commuters have a greater

tendency to be part-time students. The researchers found that the farther away

commuters live from campus, the less likely they are to take advantage of campus

opportunities (Kuh, Gonyea, & Palmer, 2001).

Increasing Commuter Involvement


CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 30

(Commuter Students: Myths, Realities, 2006). In order to increase the involvement of

this student population, it is first critical to better understand their needs and common

realities. Reliable transportation is important as this stressor can drain both time and

energy from the student that might have otherwise been placed into a campus event or

program. Institutions must also consider the various life roles a commuter student is

often juggling. Commuter students must be strategic when choosing their involvement

due to time commitments elsewhere. These students must feel a sense of belonging if

institutions hope to retain them. Otherwise, these students may view their campus

experience as a series of pit stops on their way towards a degree .18 Commuter students

do not typically have high expectations for the institution to provide programs and

initiatives focused on their needs (Newbold, Mehta, & Forbus, 2011). Some colleges

and universities have recently developed new initiatives to reach out to this group. For

example, the University of Massachusetts Lowell has created a commuter newsletter,

commuter lounges to give the students a place to connect between classes, and events

such as commuter breakfasts. The university has also sought to foster relationships

between faculty members and nonresident students (Santovec, 2007). Meanwhile,

Mansfield University of Pennsylvania sought to help bridge the gap between residential

and commuter students. Mansfield University set aside a number of rooms in one of its

residence halls for use by commuters when needed with no charge to the student

(Lorenzetti, 2009). These efforts demonstrate potential opportunities and the ability of

commuter students to be brought into the fold of the institution.

Commuter Students
CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 31

In the early 1970s, research was conducted among students who lived on campus

versus those who lived off campus or at home with their parents. The results of the

studies showed that students living in residence halls were more likely to graduate in

four years than those who commuted to school (Peltier, Laten, & Matranga, 1999).

Researchers have linked higher graduation rates of on-campus, residential students to

their increased abilities to become involved in campus activities and various social and

academic systems, which is more difficult for their commuter counterparts (Pascarella

et al., 1992). Building friendships in college contributes to feelings of success at school,

greater academic achievement, and connections to the institution (Jacoby & Garland,

2005; Skahill, 2003). Commuter students have difficulty building relationships in

college. For example, commuter students may have more responsibilities within their

family structures and often have difficulty developing social connections on campus.

Nonclassroom interactions with faculty and students are important to persistence and

integrate students’ classroom and non-classroom experiences (Johnson, 1997). Social

connections built through interactions with faculty, staff, and peers allow commuter

students to develop other campus roles that will help them succeed and persist to

graduation. 20 Commuter students’ on-campus social connections can be formed

through participation in co-curricular activities.

Faculty Factors

Kuh, Gonyea, and Palmer (2009) Commuter student engagement with faculty

can be limited used National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) data to understand

student-faculty engagement. Their findings illustrated that students who lived on


CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 32

campus were more engaged in effective educational practices than commuter students.

27 Commuters had less contact with teachers and did not take advantage of co-

curricular opportunities. Even if faculty actively engage students, not all students feel

comfortable approaching faculty. Longwell-Grice and Longwell-Grice (2008) found

that firstgeneration and working students are often too intimidated to seek faculty

support. The students included in their study felt a lack of attention and distance from

the faculty and were struggling to negotiate both family and institutional expectations.

Helping firstgeneration students understand ways to communicate and use the

classroom as a means to connect with faculty is an important aspect of student retention.

Longwell-Grice and Longwell-Grice’s study also revealed that students who lived

farther away from campus were less likely to take advantage of educational resources

than students who lived close to or on campus. Faculty need to be aware of the different

student populations that register for their courses and learn ways to use their classrooms

to engage commuter students. Understanding commuter students and their educational

goals requires faculty to take many different approaches (human development theory,

motivation theory, needs theory, and transition theory) to understand this specific

student population (Jacoby, 1989). Faculty members can use their instructional

approaches and curriculum materials as learning tools to engage students. Effective

instruction incorporates clear and organized teaching that helps enhance students’

cognitive abilities and results in greater student satisfaction (Pascarella, Seifert, &

Whitt, 2008). Students who share curricula with both fellow classmates and faculty

enhance their cognitive abilities by connecting 28 their personal experiences to class


CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 33

content (Tinto, 1997). Both rigor and effective classroom instruction can help students

progress toward graduation.

Transport System of Every Nation

The transport system in any nation is determined by the socio-economic and

political needs of the society (Ayodele, 2009). Whereas the rate of growth in the

nation’s social and economic sectors far exceeds the provision of transport

infrastructure and services. As such, the available resources in the transport sector

cannot cope with the increasing movement needs of the people.

Commute stress

(Schaeffer, Street, Singer, & Baum, 1988). As early as the 1980s, researchers have

documented the personal stress associated with commuting to work. The factors

influencing commute stress are only partly clear. Early studies focused on impedance,

defined as the difficulty commuters experience in moving from home to work and back

(Schaeffer, Street, Singer, & Baum, 1988). Researchers initially measured impedance as

travel distance or time (e.g. Novaco et al., 1979) but soon focused on travel speed to

capture the effect of congestion (e.g. Schaeffer et al., 1988). Novaco, Stokols, and

Milanesi (1990) differentiated between physical impedance (e.g. speed) and subjective

impedance measured as drivers’ perceptions about inability to avoid traffic, speed

reductions due to traffic jams, exposure to traffic control devices and other

characteristics of the commute.


CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 34

It has been theorised that impedance contributes to stress through the mechanism of

perceived control: higher impedance causes commuters to feel less control and thus

more stress. One study found control to be “the most powerful predictor of commuting

stress” (Sposato, Röderer, & Cervinka, 2012, p. 581). Control can be operationalised in

a variety of ways. Schaeffer et al. (1988), in comparing stress for commuters driving

alone versus carpooling, differentiated between control over the internal environment of

the car (e.g. controlling the radio) and control over the route taken to work. Lucas and

Heady (2002) showed for workers in Atlanta, Georgia, that flexi-time work schedules,

which give commuters control over when they commute, are associated with reduced

commute stress. The concept of choice is closely related to the concept of control

(Kluger, 1998; White & Rotton, 1998), but some argue that choice has an ambiguous

effect on stress, particularly if the choices available are not seen as favourable ones

(Koslowsky, Kluger, & Reich, 2013). Others have operationalised control as the

predictability or, conversely, the variability of the commute. While Novaco and

Gonzalez (2009) argued that variability is a moderator of the effect of impedance (i.e.

variability magnifies the effect of impedance) on stress, Kluger (1998, pp. 160–161)

concluded that “commute variability may be the main commuting stressor”.

Satisfaction with the commute

(Ettema et al., 2010). Whereas affect during commuting concerns travellers’

emotional state, commute satisfaction has a broader definition. In particular, it is

assumed that travel satisfaction can be regarded as a sub-domain of overall SWB (as per
CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 35

family life, working life, etc.), and commuting is a sub-domain in its own right given

that it consumes a large amount of time for many workers. Ettema et al. (2011)

proposed a measurement scale for travel satisfaction (which has frequently been applied

in studies of commuting travel), which includes both cognitive and affective

components. However, other authors measure travel satisfaction using only a cognitive

measurement scale (e.g. Susilo & Cats, 2014), or as a composite of evaluations of

specific aspects of the trip (e.g. St-Louis, Manaugh, van Lierop, & El-Geneidy, 2014).

Some studies have measured satisfaction with a particular commute trip (e.g. today’s or

yesterday’s commute: Mao, Ettema, & Dijst, 2016) and others with a typical commute

trip (e.g. Olsson, Gärling, Ettema, Friman, & Fujii, 2013).

Given that commute satisfaction reflects commuters’ evaluations beyond their

affective experiences implies that a broader set of factors influences commute

satisfaction. First and foremost, travel mode has been found to be strongly associated

with commute satisfaction. Commuters using active travel modes report the highest

levels of commute satisfaction, whereas public transport users report the lowest levels

(e.g. St-Louis et al., 2014, for university employees at McGill University, Canada;

Friman, Gärling, Ettema, & Olsson, 2017, for urban commuters in Sweden; Ye &

Titheridge, 2017, for workers in Xi’an, China). As most studies of commute satisfaction

control for trip characteristics such as trip duration, this suggests that different travel

modes have specific properties that make them more or less satisfying. For active travel,

it is reported that the physical activity involved is associated with a more positive mood,

which translates into higher satisfaction (Ekkekakis, Backhouse, Gray, & Lind, 2008).
CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 36

For car use, it is argued that aspects such as independence, mastery, joy and prestige

play a role in the relatively high satisfaction with car use (Bergstad et al., 2011). For

public transport commuting, two North American studies have found that rail

commuters are more satisfied with their commute than bus commuters (Handy &

Thigpen, 2019; St-Louis et al., 2014), but a study in Sweden found higher satisfaction

among bus commuters than rail commuters (Ettema, Friman, Gärling, Olsson, &

Fujii, 2012).

Commuting and physical health

(Audrey, Procter, & Cooper, 2014), cycle (Donaire-Gonzalez, de Nazelle, &

Cole-Hunter, 2015) or use public transport (MacDonald, Stokes, & Cohen, 2010), when

compared to drivers (Wanner, Götschi, Martin-Diener, Kahlmeier, & Martin, 2012). It

is important to understand if increased (or decreased) physical activity from mode

changes are offset by corresponding decreased (or increased) physical activity in other

activity domains. A longitudinal study exploring this in English towns identified a

modest, positive relationship between change in the amount of active travel for work

and change in overall physical activity (Sahlqvist, Goodman, Cooper, & Ogilvie, 2013).

Other determinants of health, alongside those arising from physical activity,

should be considered to fully understand the impact of commuting on physical health.

Whilst commuting duration, unsurprisingly, is positively associated with inhalation of

air pollutants amongst active commuters, one analysis has estimated that the physical
CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 37

activity benefits, compared to staying at home, exceeded the potential harm from air

pollution for people who cycle up to 3.5 h daily (Tainio et al., 2016). Longer

commuting durations have been shown to be related to fatigue symptoms (Kageyama,

Nishikido, Kobayashi, Kurokawa, & Kaneko, 1998, for male workers in Tokyo) and

poor sleep (Walsleben et al., 1999, for rail commuters in New York), which can induce

cardiovascular abnormalities and dysfunction related to the onset of heart disease


CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 1

ENGLISH SPEAKER SOCIETY: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF

COMMUTING EXPERIENCES IN TUGUEGARAO CITY

by:

Suzea Fayna Lacuesta

Ian Jewel M. Berbano

Rhena Acosta

Loraine Baltazar

Jamaica Cariaga

Angel Mae Tocmo

Isiah Maribbay

Princess Dianne Ancheta

Grade11- Einstein

Practical Research I

Mrs. Charisma A. Frace, Ph. D

You might also like