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London driving instructors help pave the way for services in Malta

Massive preparations are under way to ensure that Arriva Malta’s contract to run the island’s bus services go smoothly.

The island’s state transport authority, Transport Malta, announced last year that Arriva Malta – a consortium that includes local partners Tumas Group and Malta Land Transport – would run bus services from 3 July for 10 years.

Arriva Malta’s plans include reinvigorating training for more than 700 bus drivers on the island, renewing much of the vehicle fleet, upgrading engineering standards and the introduction of more reliable timetables.

The new company is committed to improving driver training standards and Arriva London driving instructors Steve Gannon and Dave Bridson are among a number of Arriva UK Bus employees on the island progressing changes across the board.

Steve said he and Dave’s primary task was to train a small number of current drivers to become trainers.

“The aim,” said Steve, “is to improve driving standards overall and we have found eight drivers who we feel have a flair for training to carry the improved standards through.”

He added that the island’s driving test was also be redesigned under the auspices of an examiner from the UK’s Driving Standards Agency.

“It’s quite a challenge,” said Steve, “but the island’s drivers are very keen to learn. Of course, we’re using similar techniques here to those we use in London, including eco driving.

“We are emphasising that eco driving is about minimising emissions as well as driving smoothly and safely.

“Arriva Malta is looking at a step change in the service we provide to bus users. Driver training is an integral part of the plan and ultimately we want to get to a point where the service is so good that people choose to use buses instead of their cars.”

Published: Sun 3 Apr 2011Modified: Tue 29 Mar 2011Archived: Sat 30 Apr 2011

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