Employee Job Satisfaction following Deregulation in the Bus Industry

Abstract

This article examines the effect of deregulation on 95 first line managers in the bus industry. The way deregulation was handled by the government was a major source of criticism. On the whole the sample felt perturbed by deregulation as they did not see it as being in the best interest of the public or the bus industry. Feelings regarding the effects on their jobs were mixed although quite a number felt deregulation had led to improvements. Despite concern over the status of the bus industry, the image of the companies in the community and the services they offered, respondents expressed considerable pride in working for their respective companies. It is tentatively suggested that poor communication before and immediately following deregulation was the cause of much of the dissatisfaction.