Innovative Overhaul of Driver Training at Ipswich Buses June 2006
Ensuring compliance with the impending European Directive 2003/59/CE is a top priority for municipal operator Ipswich Buses, and one which the Operator has chosen to proactively address through investing in market-leading driver training software system ‘VideoRoute Trainer’ to train their drivers.
By employing the VideoRoute Trainer (VRT) system, Ipswich Buses is ensuring their drivers have access to the very latest in computer based driver training techniques, which have so far proved to be a huge success at leading UK operators Cardiff Bus, National Express, Thamesdown Transport, First and Lothian Buses.
Utilising the benefits of map linked route video, the East Anglian Operator can ensure their drivers fulfill the periodic training of the CPC Directive, which is due to come into force in 2008.
The Directive, published by the European Commission, requires the compulsory initial qualification and periodic training for professional drivers of lorries, buses, coaches and minibuses. Among the requirements of Directive 2003/59 are that existing drivers will have to complete 35 hours of training spread over a five year period, every 5 years in periods of not less than 7 hours at a time.
The impending legislation allows that the training be completed in-house, provided employers have existing training facilities and that the content of the periodic training include safe and efficient driving. An accurate system must also be devised to record training undertaken.
VRT expertly addresses the requirements laid down by the Directive by providing a mechanism by which operators can improve their drivers’ route knowledge either as part of a controlled classroom route learning exercise, whereby a driver’s route knowledge can be tested, scored and results saved as evidence of training undergone, or as part of a continual personal development cycle, where drivers can access the system at leisure.
Fellow council owned Cardiff Bus has chosen to embrace this self teaching approach (alongside classroom and traditional on bus teaching techniques), by utilising a bespoke touchscreen console, accessible to their drivers within the rest area of their depot. Acting primarily as the company’s intranet, the console also allows the drivers to view a route summary, diversion or new route at their leisure during their rest periods. Extending personal learning to a take home DVD is also another possibility the system’s architects, Inovas Ltd, offer.
Delivery of the VideoRoute Trainer programme at Ipswich Bus is scheduled for week commencing 12.06.06 and Ipswich look forward to rolling the system out to all of their 144 drivers over the coming months.
Commenting on the purchase, Managing Director, Malcolm Robson said: “We are delighted to be one of the first to innovatively address the needs of the CPC Directive and to invest in this exciting new technology for our driver training. Investing in the needs of our drivers and ensuring their training is kept up to date is extremely important to us, and we are delighted to offer our drivers the very latest in modern day driver training technology”.
Inovas’ Managing Director, Colin MacAlpine warmly welcomed the news of the sale to Ipswich, commenting: “Ipswich Buses is another significant sale for us in terms of extending our technology to the UK and fulfilling our aim of becoming preferred driver training provider within our home market. While we are enjoying recent sales success within the N. American market, the UK remains our core focus and we look forward to more operators coming on board now that the European Commission’s 2003/59 Directive has been passed and will soon come into force. Inovas can help all operators fulfill the requirement of periodic retraining and indeed our new product developments extend innovative driving training benefits by addressing safe and efficient driving, helping operators save on fuel and do their bit for the environment too.”
**ENDS**
ABOUT IPSWICH BUSES ……
Employing over 250 staff, Ipswich Buses operates 96 buses on local services into and around Ipswich carrying over 6.8 million passengers each year, including the three Park and Ride services into the Town Centre. The Operator was the first bus company in the country to gain the Chartermark Award for Excellence in delivering a network of bus services, and has previously been recognized for its innovative approach to staff training and development in the field of Disability Awareness training.
For further information please contact: Malcolm Robson, Managing Director of Ipswich Buses Tel: 01473 232600, or Laura McBrier, Marketing Manager of Inovas Tel: 01324 682268
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