Hino Launches Training Programme to Strengthen Bus Transport Safety Culture

Transport safety remains a significant challenge in Indonesia. In every bus journey, risks are not only determined by the vehicle but also by the humans driving it. This topic was discussed by Hino Motors Sales Indonesia (HMSI) during a talkshow at the GIICOMVEC 2026 event at JIExpo Kemayoran on Thursday afternoon (9/4/2026). HMSI Marketing Director Tomoki Hattori emphasised that transportation is more than just moving people and goods. “Safety, reliability, and responsibility must form the foundation of every journey, and this cannot be achieved by one party alone,” he stated in his opening remarks. He noted that collaboration between manufacturers, regulators, and operators is key to building a safer transport system. From the industry’s perspective, Hino not only provides vehicles with safety standards but also driver training and after-sales support. Senior Investigator of the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) Ahmad Wildan affirmed that the primary factor in transport safety is the driver. According to him, a good vehicle is insufficient without a competent driver. Wildan stressed the importance of driver training, not only for safety but also for operational efficiency. He shared his experience in training drivers for a transport company. “After the training, maintenance costs, which were previously around Rp 3 billion per year, dropped to about Rp 900 million. This means savings of nearly Rp 2 billion simply from improving driver competence,” he said. He explained that one key aspect is understanding driving techniques, such as engine RPM usage. Drivers who misuse RPM may save on fuel but risk damaging components like the clutch and brakes. “Drivers must know when to use low RPM and when to use high RPM. There is a science to it. If trained properly, it is not only safer but also more efficient,” Wildan stated.