The City’s Spatial Planning and Environment Directorate, Environmental Management Department, Urban Mobility Directorate, Public Transport Operations Department and two Vehicle Operating Companies (VOC) embarked on Smart Driver training for 150 MyCiTi bus drivers. Yesterday, all the trained drivers received their Smart Driver competency certificates at the Observatory bus depot.

‘This Smart Driver training aims to change driver behaviour by way of assessing and upskilling MyCiTi bus drivers. Such training leads to improved driver behaviour, fuel savings, lower carbon emissions, reduced maintenance costs, reduced risks and above all, increased passenger safety. Investing in our bus drivers, who are the heart of the City’s public transport, is an important exercise. Great drivers are not born, great drivers are products of good training,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.

This Smart Driver programme is a transversal City programme and the training focuses on:

• City fleet (touch key) drivers
• Refresher training for fleet drivers involved in accidents
• Managing Risk in transport operations training for managers/ supervisors and operators focusing on liabilities

For this particular training, MyCiTi bus drivers engaged in theoretical learning that was followed by smart driver assessors practically monitoring and evaluating each bus driver’s driving. Feedback was then shared with the drivers and the VOC management.

An additional 400 MyCiTi and Dial-a-Ride bus drivers are set to receive similar Smart Driver training in this and following fiscal years.

‘This training is relevant to the City’s Environmental Strategy, as one of its principles is to ensure that resource efficiency and low carbon development are embedded in all aspects of the City’s work. The bus drivers were taught why it is important to change driving habits, mind-sets and driving styles. Besides their own safety and saving the City and themselves money, they will also have a positive impact on the environment,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member of Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.