Busway operators learning how to drive nicely
Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang
With only a week to go before the city administration kicks off the busway project, 116 bus drivers started a week-long refresher course, with specific attention given to the operation of the busway's specially designed buses at the National Police Traffic Training Center in Serpong, Tangerang.
Sixteen other drivers were absent, but no reasons were given.
Besides basic material on driving skills and traffic regulations with regard to the special bus lanes, the course, which began on Thursday, will include a host of other subjects in order that they can provide comfortable transportation services to the public.
"The most important part of the training is educating the drivers on how to provide premium service to their passengers," said chief of the training center, Sr. Comr. Lalu Suprapta.
The training sessions will emphasize the need to drive the buses in a smooth manner to maintain the comfort level of up to 31 standing passengers, how to keep the buses running on time in line with the planned schedule and how to properly stop the buses at each bus stop.
Instructors from the bus manufacturer Hino Indonesia briefed the drivers on the vehicles' turbo-intercooler diesel engine as most of them are not familiar with it. The engined is designed to get higher power while remaining efficient.
The drivers are expected to do daily basic inspections of the buses -- including the engines -- before operating them.
"We will also train them on how to drive the buses properly and economically," said Agus, one of the instructors.
The ideal driving method includes running the bus engines at a fairly constant revolution per minute (rpm) rate, shifting the gears only at specified speeds and fully releasing the clutches and brakes when they are not in use.
Suprapta said the drivers would be tested when the course finished. Those considered skillful enough will be immediately deployed to operate the buses on the streets. The rest will continue their training.