Night Buses for Shift Workers

The question

How to approach this problem and solution question

A problem and solution essay needs specific causes or problems first, then realistic solutions that match them.

1. Introduce the issue and why it matters.
2. Body 1: the main problems or causes, with examples.
3. Body 2: solutions that clearly link to each problem, saying who should act.
4. Conclude by summarising the best solution.

How to plan this answer

Structure

1. Introduction: paraphrase the lack of late-night transport for shift workers and identify the main problems and their causes.
2. Body 1: the problems and their causes, covering the risk of walking home alone, the cost of taxis and missed work because of unreliable travel.
3. Body 2: practical solutions, such as subsidised night routes, a demand-responsive minibus and an employer-funded shuttle, and how each would operate.
4. Body 3: the limitations of these solutions, covering the cost to councils, low passenger numbers that make routes unprofitable and long waiting times for minibuses.
5. Conclusion: summarise the problems and recommend a combination of solutions, with the council subsidising a core route and employers funding shuttles where possible.

Idea bank

• A nurse finishing a shift at 10 p.m. who has to pay for a taxi because the last bus left at 9 p.m.
• A cleaner who takes two buses at 5 a.m. and arrives late for work, risking a warning from her employer.
• A demand-responsive minibus that collects passengers who book in advance, which costs less than a full timetable.
• An employer-funded shuttle from a large hospital or factory to the nearest station, which benefits staff directly.
• Limitation: low demand at night makes many routes unprofitable, so operators often withdraw them without subsidy.

Useful vocabulary

• to be left stranded: Workers can be left stranded when the last bus leaves before their shift ends.
• to run a service at a loss: Councils sometimes run a service at a loss to protect workers' access to jobs.
• a demand-responsive service: A demand-responsive service adjusts its route to the bookings made.
• to subsidise routes: The council could subsidise routes that serve hospitals and factories.
• to be unprofitable: Many late-night routes are unprofitable and are cut first.
• to cut back on: Operators cut back on services after dark when passenger numbers fall.
• to pick up the tab: Employers could pick up the tab for a staff shuttle.
• to be exposed to: Walking home late exposes workers to the risk of an accident or assault.
• a late-night shift: A late-night shift leaves few options for getting home safely.
• to fill a gap in provision: A small minibus service can fill a gap in provision in rural areas.

Common mistakes

• Describing the problems without explaining their causes, which the task asks for.
• Suggesting solutions without explaining how they would be paid for or run.
• Omitting the limitations of each solution, which the task specifically requests.
• Writing general statements such as 'transport is important' instead of naming the workers affected.

Examiner tip: Give each solution a short explanation of who runs it and who pays, then one limitation. This covers the three requirements of the task in a clear, orderly way.