ABSTRACT

In most European countries, the evolution of the utilization rate of public transport has involved frequent oscillations (Eurostat, 2006). In Portugal, and specifically regarding collective road passenger transportation, it is common to discuss the (un)reliability of this kind of transportation, in terms of schedule and frequency, due to external factors (crashes ; traffic jams; road works; . . . ) (Antrop, 2002), as well as factors resulting from changes in working conditions and work organization options in the sector (Cunha & Lacomblez, 2007). Several measures for the improvement of existing infrastrncture and accessibility, as the construction of bus corridors or paid parking lots in b igger urban centers, have been taken in order to counter that tendency, even if their contribution has not been decisive in the increase of users for this mode of transportation. Recognizing this was determinant in guiding our research towards the analysis of working conditions and work organization options which regulate the real activity of those providing the service � as it is assumed by our scientific tradition, that of Activity Ergonomics � given that the point of view of the driver ' s activity is

not being emphasizcd on mobility through public transportation debates, and changcs taking place aiming at mobility improvement do not happen without costs to these workers . The guiding thread of this article is based on the idea that the intervention in the sector cannot, thereforc, be made without a simultaneous focus on what happens inside it, this is, without considering the working conditions and their impact on health and on drivers ' aging quality.