Busway operators learning how to drive nicely
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.