An online tool for bus drivers is helping operators with self-paced and remote training
A former New South Wales school teacher is utilizing his skills in the bus industry by developing online training tools for operators.
Streamlyne Interactive Principal Steve Lyne has been working with industry for the last six years, consulting with them about how they can improve their businesses at a whole range of levels by developing specific and customised training in policies and procedures.
Primarily Lyne produces online modules that address the particular policies or procedures.
Clients and their staff access these via the internet, CDs where the internet is not applicable.
Lyne was school teacher for about 30 years and a Principal for the last part of that time.
“I was asked to provide some advice for the Buslines Group in NSW, who were already contemplating adopting this strategy,” he says.
“Everything developed from there.”
Each module is self-paced and provides assessment and printed results which most companies keep in staff personnel files as a record of training.
The content of each training course differs between operators.
“The peak body in NSW is BusNSW and they have used us to provide modules in WHS and risk management as well as training in how to report on the Bus Incident Database,” says Lyne.
“They have also produced modules for drivers in Customer Service, Industry Induction and general safety topics. These are available to their members.”
With individual operators Lyne develops company-based induction modules, and take drivers through policies and procedures both at the depot and on the road.
“As an example, in one case we developed a ticketing machine simulator. But we also do Drug and Alcohol, Fatigue Management, and, most importantly, Managing Student Behaviour.”
Lyne says the content in most of the modules relies on the expertise from industry but the material produced on Managing Student Behaviour comes mainly from his own background.
“The advice is exactly what I have said to my staff in schools about managing classrooms,” he says.
“There is very little around to help operators and drivers in this area, yet transporting children is where most companies derive the bulk of their income.”
Lyne says the online format of the training provides a range of benefits for operators.
“If policies or content change we can immediately update the modules so that users always get the latest and correct information.”
“As the industry vies for a greater stake in the public transport sector, demonstrating that they have high quality training procedures, such as specific and detailed online training, will stand them in better stead to win that market share.”