GRTC Bus Drivers' New Training Tool
In The Wake Of Recent Accidents, All Drivers Must Now Train In Bus Simulator
RICHMOND - Do you feel safe riding a GRTC bus?
"In a way I do, but in a way I don't because when they're moving the bus and we put our money inside the bus. It causes us to shift around," said Naketia Thompson
But GRTC wants to change that.
The company launched this state-of-the-art simulator that's a lot like the ones used in military training. New drivers spend six weeks on it. And veteran drivers go through a three day refresher course every two years.
"You're helping them get comfortable with the vehicle they're going to drive everyday. But you're also allowing yourself as a trainer to see what they bring to the table," said GRTC Training manager Mark Carter.
Our Sandra Jones got behind the wheel to get a demonstration of the simulator.
Training manager Mark Carter takes her through the steps of driving on a city street.
"Slow and easy, keep your speed at a minimal."
He reminds her to pay close attention to what's in front of her.
"You're driving a 40 foot vehicle. So, it becomes a difficult decision."
Make wide turns through intersections.
And watch for aggressive drivers like cabbies. One sideswiped her during the training sesssion.
"An accident like that looks like the operator made an error."
The system can recreate the scene to show who's actually at fault.
GRTC rolled out this simulator last January, after two pedestrians were struck by GRTC buses, one fatally. We asked GRTC CEO John Lewis if he believes this system would've helped prevent the accidents?
Lewis says, "all of my operators are professionals at what they do, and we hold them to a higher standard. But I have to say there isn't a vehicle made that doesn't have a blind spot. We're going to get better at what we do and the goal of that and the result of that will be a safer system."
And that's a relief to those who ride GRTC everyday.
"I think that's a good thing, and it will help when we get on the bus. It'll help kids to be safe," said Thompson.
GRTC officials tell CBS 6 safety is their number one concern. While they can't control everything that happens, they say this shows bus drivers are being given the right tools to help them out on the road.
John Lewis says the training simulator costs $450,000 and was paid for with a Federal grant when GRTC purchased its new headquarters in South Richmond.
The simulator is just part of a larger technology package GRTC is working on.
The company has also started installing a new system, warning pedestrians and bicyclists when a bus driver uses a right or left turn signal through an intersection.
GRTC has already begun retrofitting its fleet of 168 buses with the warning system.
"In a way I do, but in a way I don't because when they're moving the bus and we put our money inside the bus. It causes us to shift around," said Naketia Thompson
But GRTC wants to change that.
The company launched this state-of-the-art simulator that's a lot like the ones used in military training. New drivers spend six weeks on it. And veteran drivers go through a three day refresher course every two years.
"You're helping them get comfortable with the vehicle they're going to drive everyday. But you're also allowing yourself as a trainer to see what they bring to the table," said GRTC Training manager Mark Carter.
Our Sandra Jones got behind the wheel to get a demonstration of the simulator.
Training manager Mark Carter takes her through the steps of driving on a city street.
"Slow and easy, keep your speed at a minimal."
He reminds her to pay close attention to what's in front of her.
"You're driving a 40 foot vehicle. So, it becomes a difficult decision."
Make wide turns through intersections.
And watch for aggressive drivers like cabbies. One sideswiped her during the training sesssion.
"An accident like that looks like the operator made an error."
The system can recreate the scene to show who's actually at fault.
GRTC rolled out this simulator last January, after two pedestrians were struck by GRTC buses, one fatally. We asked GRTC CEO John Lewis if he believes this system would've helped prevent the accidents?
Lewis says, "all of my operators are professionals at what they do, and we hold them to a higher standard. But I have to say there isn't a vehicle made that doesn't have a blind spot. We're going to get better at what we do and the goal of that and the result of that will be a safer system."
And that's a relief to those who ride GRTC everyday.
"I think that's a good thing, and it will help when we get on the bus. It'll help kids to be safe," said Thompson.
GRTC officials tell CBS 6 safety is their number one concern. While they can't control everything that happens, they say this shows bus drivers are being given the right tools to help them out on the road.
John Lewis says the training simulator costs $450,000 and was paid for with a Federal grant when GRTC purchased its new headquarters in South Richmond.
The simulator is just part of a larger technology package GRTC is working on.
The company has also started installing a new system, warning pedestrians and bicyclists when a bus driver uses a right or left turn signal through an intersection.
GRTC has already begun retrofitting its fleet of 168 buses with the warning system.
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