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RTA in tie-up with top firm to train Dubai bus drivers

Essa Abdul Rahman Al Dosari, Committee of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the PTA, said this campaign reflected the RTA’s commitment to improving public transport by developing the skills of drivers and improving passenger confidence in Dubai’s transportation network.

“The safety campaign has been designed to reinforce and enhance the skills that all public bus drivers acquire during the compulsory three-month training course,” he said.

“The tactical alliance between the RTA and RogenSi will drive Dubai’s public transport forward, with staff of various sections of the RTA already completing training in communication, customer service, business development and media coaching.”

The interactive safety sessions would be conducted at the Al Awir Bus Depot auditorium. Bus drivers would also attend an intensive session involving a series of presentations, videos and exercises designed to raise the drivers’ awareness and motivation.

“This campaign marks the beginning of a huge public safety movement, which will positively affect all levels of transport. We will significantly decrease the number of road accidents and raise the bar for all future transport development.”

“The PTA will continually assess the needs of public transportation and similar campaigns will be mobilised through the Health, Safety and Environment Office. The success of these campaigns also relies on educating the general public on how to safely use public transport and raising awareness on how to make the roads a safer place,” stated Al Dosari.

Studies by the UK’s Institute of Advanced Motorists show that various factors such as mood and stress can have a direct effect on the driving. RogenSi would teach the drivers how to revert to the skills they had already acquired during performance-affecting situations.

“Being able to identify and react properly while under pressure is an integral part of the training sessions,” said Terry Reynolds, Managing Director of RogenSi Middle East.

“Drivers will be taught the tools to fully utilise their driving skills and safety procedures covered as part of the three-month training programme. This will allow the drivers to perform to the best of their abilities in every situation on the roads and will help to improve the performance, safety and efficiency of public transport in Dubai.”

At present, Dubai has 504 buses running on 62 routes stretching up to over 168,000 kilometres. The bus network currently covers 35 per cent of the emirate which will rise to over 60 per cent by the end of 2008.

• UAE