Examining Safety Perceptions Across Diverse Bus Systems in Brazil

This study investigates the safety perceptions of victims and witnesses of crime on various bus systems in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Through a web-based survey, a convenient sample of bus users from the UFMG university campus was gathered to analyze the influence of mechanisms of control and surveillance technology on their safety perceptions within the BRT MOVE system and the traditional bus system. Utilizing linear regression analysis, the study hypothesized that participants’ safety perceptions would vary based on the different risks as well as control mechanisms present in each bus system. The study addressed limitations, reviewed reliability and validity concerns, and highlighted the impact of various risk factors and socio-demographic factors on riders’ safety perceptions at bus stops, on buses, and at stations. These findings contribute to a greater understanding of the challenges facing urban mobility for bus riders in Brazil and offer potential solutions.