31st
August 2005
~ Metroline becomes
first major London Bus Operator to have 100% of drivers
fully BTEC trained ~
ComfortDelGro
subsidiary, Metroline announced this week that 100%
of their substantive establishment of
over 3,000 drivers is now fully trained to the standard
of a BTEC Intermediate award in delivering a Bus service
in London launched by the Mayor of London in 2002.
The
BTEC was founded after London Buses, in conjunction
with operators and trade unions, identified a need
to improve the continued development of bus drivers
and to make standards of training consistent across
all London bus companies.
The BTEC provides both
new and existing bus drivers with the knowledge and
skills
they need to respond
professionally to incidents on the road. It also provides
an understanding of customers’ needs and expectations
and an awareness of the issues faced by disabled customers.
Funded
by Transport for London, the BTEC in Bus Driving covers
issues such as defensive driving skills; health,
safety and security; understanding the needs of our
customers, operating the bus service; the London bus
industry and communication skills through classroom
and practical sessions.
The biggest challenge for London Bus Operators was
to train the huge number of existing drivers. Over
the last 18 months, Metroline’s Training division
has focussed on a garage by garage schedule to educate
all drivers to the BTEC standard. They announced this
week, that their last remaining drivers have completed
their training.
Clare Kavanagh, London
Buses’ Director
of Performance said: “Congratulations to all
the Metroline drivers who have achieved their BTEC
qualification. Metroline
are now in an excellent position to build on this superb
achievement to ensure all passengers receive an excellent
standard of customer service”.
Sean O’Shea,
Acting Managing Director at Metroline said: “This
is a tremendous achievement for Metroline and I’m
very proud of the commitment shown by our drivers and
training teams. By investing in our
staff’s development through schemes like the
BTEC award, we aim to raise the quality and standards
of our bus services and deliver an exceptional service
to our customers in London.”
- Ends -
Note to Editors:
- Metroline is one of the top five London-based bus
companies, currently running 13.5% of the capital’s bus
services under contract to Transport for London.
- Metroline carries 250 million passengers every year,
operates 96 routes, covers over 37.5 million journey
miles each year, employs almost 3700 people and runs
a fleet of over 1,200 buses in North, West and Central
London and South Hertfordshire.
- Metroline is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Singapore
based ComfortDelGro Corporation Limited, which is
the world's second largest listed land transport company.
- Transport for London manages London's buses, the Underground,
the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and London Trams.
It also runs London River Services, Victoria Coach
Station and London's Transport Museum. TfL also manages
a 580km network of main roads, all of London's 4,600
traffic lights and regulates taxis and the private
hire trade.
Enquiries
Nicola Vincent – Head of Communications 020 8218
8831 |
