Two hundred and thirty minibus drivers and conductors from the routes plied in Regions 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 communities along with Region 3 taxi drivers have benefitted from training which focussed on the areas of hospitality, first aid, tyre & fire safety, life & vehicle insurance, and defensive driving.
The training which took place from July to August, was initiated by the Department of Consumer Affairs of the Ministry of Business in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana National Road Safety Council, and the United Minibus Union.
According to a Ministry of Business release, the objective of the exercise was to bolster the high quality of service which is expected to be provided by minibus operators and more so public transportation providers as outlined in the Minibus Code of Conduct, which was launched by the Ministry in February of this year.
The various one-day sessions were held at the Guyana Police Force Training Centre, Eve Leary and the presentations were facilitated by Hospitality Management Services, Guyana National Bureau of Standards, Guyana Red Cross Society, St John’s Ambulance Brigade, Hand-in-Hand, Guyana Trinidad Mutual and Assuria Insurance Companies, the Guyana Fire Service and the Guyana Police Force.
The attendance by the participating minibus operators and taxi drivers was voluntary and organised through route and taxi leaders.
“I am more than elated to have been exposed to the sessions since it has reinforced the need to provide the best possible service to the commuting public whom I serve. I particularly liked the part on hospitality, I going back out there and up my game because of this training,” said minibus operator Dianne Banwari of Route 73.
Pastor Felix Walker from Route 42 who also attended the training said he was glad to participate since it is a timely refresher for many of the things he already knew. He has no doubt that the knowledge gained at the session will be invaluable in the provi-der/commuter relationship.
Similar training will continue throughout 2020 in Georgetown and other Regions of Guyana, the release added.
