Manchester passengers are in the hot seat

Bus passengers in Manchester may be putting more thought into where they sit after new research reveals what their choice of seat says about them.

First in Manchester, which operates across Greater Manchester, enlisted the help of Dr Tom Fawcett, psychology expert at the University of Salford, to analyse the seating preferences of its customers and found that most of them fall into one of six categories depending on where they sit.

The findings, based on the observations of First bus staff and character insights by Dr Fawcett, revealed that Manchester passengers tend to be “Forward Thinkers”, preferring to sit on the top deck at the front of the bus. Their choice of seat suggests they are inquisitive and like to know what’s going on around them.

Dr Fawcett said: “With something as habitual as getting on a bus, people may find it surprising that their choice of seat can actually reveal an aspect of their personality.

“Where you prefer sitting can expose how you react to social situations, what kind of temperament you have and even what your interests are likely to be.”

Other categories include routine-loving “Meet and Greeters” who prefer to sit in the front two rows on the bottom deck, sociable “Central Cogs” who opt for the middle rows and the extrovert “Risk Takers” who choose the back row on the top deck. Passengers who don’t fall into any of these categories are the “Chameleons” who are so laid back they don’t mind where they sit and will happily give up their seat for an older passenger.

Manchester passengers can choose from 34 extra seats, after First in Manchester, which carries approximately 100 million passengers each year and operates 900 buses, launched a number of new double deck buses on several of its routes.

First in Manchester’s marketing manager, Claire Johnson, said: “Our new double deck vehicles mean that our passengers have even more choice over where to sit and can enjoy the scenic views from the top deck or the comfort and ease of the lower deck.

“We work hard to get to know our passengers and listen to their views so we can make their journey as comfortable as possible. With our new improved fleet we now offer more luggage space, on-board CCTV cameras and the ability to lower to kerb level at every stop making access easier.”

First in Manchester’s Guide To What Your Seat Says About You: ( The behavioural index of travellers ) Dr Tom Fawcett – University of Salford.

Preferred Seat - Bottom deck, front 2 rows

Meet and greeters

Typical Characteristics

These passengers like their own space.
They’re conservative, traditional and want the same space every time. They’re usually very sociable and involved in the local community.
They’re the “meet and greeters” and like to know who’s getting on and off the bus.
They can get irritated if someone else is occupying the front seats when they get on as they see themselves as having a season ticket for that seat.
They tend to be older and wiser – with years of experience of travelling on buses. These are seasoned traditionalists with a history of travel within them.


Preferred Seat - Bottom deck, middle 2 rows

Central Cogs

Typical Characteristics

These are the people who haven’t quite got the season ticket for the front seat but they want to be involved in all the chatter.

They are the “central cogs” of chatter on the bus and like to get involved in conversations at the front and back of the bus, often involving themselves in more than one conversation at once.

Often strong communicators who are very socially interactive. They know all the gossip and enjoy storytelling.


Preferred Seat - Bottom deck, back row

Risk takers

Typical Characteristics

These tend to be people who travel in groups and like to take over the whole back seat area of the bus.

They are often fairly loud and extrovert.

As the back seat is usually raised, people who choose to sit here may prefer to see themselves as having elevated status.

They tend to be liberal in their views and are often risk takers. These people tend to be more non conformist and rebellious in nature.


Preferred Seat - Top deck, ront 2 rows

Forward thinkers

Typical Characteristics

These passengers like to see the world from a higher perspective.

They like to see everything before other people and want to know what’s going to happen before it happens to others.

They’re very forward thinking and future-orientated, keeping abreast of what’s in the news and the latest gossip. Can sometimes be seen as nosey.

They tend to sit in pairs rather than groups or individuals and tend to have a youthful view of the world.


Preferred Seat - Bottom deck, middle 2 rows

Independent thinkers

Typical Characteristics

These are very easy-going, flexible people who tend to sit here when there’s no where else to sit.

They’re more likely to wear iPods or read a newspaper or book and get on with their own thing.

Usually younger to middle-aged passengers who tend to travel on their own rather than with a group.

These are people who view bus travel simply as a way of getting from A to B rather than a social occasion.


Preferred Seat - Bottom deck, back row

Rebellious risk takers

Typical Characteristics

These are the real risk takers who tend to view this as their “zone” on the bus.

Groups and cliques tend to dominate these seats and they are usually very dynamic and extrovert.

Younger passengers tend to believe they have an unwritten season’s pass for this part of the bus and can even feel irritated if other passengers enter their “zone”.


No preferred seat

Chameleons

Typical Characteristics

This passenger is quite rare and has no preference over where they sit as they are so preoccupied by their own world. They are very changeable, flexible and laid back. They don’t fit into any category and sit in the gaps that are left over. They are very free thinkers and are so chilled out that they may even miss their stop as they are thinking about something else. They will happily give up their seat for an older passenger.