1. 7 “MUST HAVE” KEY INGREDIENTS IN SURFACE TRANSIT BUS OPERATOR TRAINING
11/15/2018
7 “MUST HAVE” KEY INGREDIENTS IN SURFACE TRANSIT BUS OPERATOR TRAINING
APTA Mid-Year Safety Seminar
December 6, 2017
Houston METRO
Presented by: Louie Maiello
Transit Training Solutions

2. WELCOME
There will be six designated yawning breaks during my presentation. Please pace your boredom accordingly.

3. EXPECTED TAKEAWAYS
Reduce training cost by “streamlining” your training program
Reduce collisions “immediately”
Produce and “maintain” a world class operator

4. TRAININGS “7” KEY INGREDIENTS
Standardized “Basic Skill” Development Curriculum
(Front-loaded with maximum amount of ‘hands on’ behind the wheel driving)
Instructor Accountability
(Are instructors making the right calls in which trainees they are qualifying?)
“Set Amount” of Days In Place to Qualify / Terminated
(Training “until they get it” does not produce the “cream of the crop”)
Corrective Actions Program
(Specific prescriptions for correcting the problems)

5. TRAININGS “7” KEY INGREDIENTS
Automatic (final day) Disqualifiers
(Not hiring material if still demonstrating unsafe actions)
Route Familiarization Operator (train the trainer) Program
(Ensure that RFO’s are up to date with what is being taught to trainees during basic skill development phase)
Post Training Evaluation / Annual Refresher Programs
(Promote an agency wide ”hire to retire” philosophy)

6. Standardized Curriculum
KEY #1
Standardized Curriculum
Front Loaded with “behind the wheel” skills training occurring first
Eliminating from the program those who failed “BDW” training
“Timely and Meaningful” classroom training after washouts
Standardization in:
Instructor Documentation (see last Linkedin blog)
Automatic Final Day Disqualifier Applicators
Basic Skills Student Performance & Instructor Delivery

7. “Set Amount” Of Days In Place To Qualify
KEY #2
“Set Amount” Of Days In Place To Qualify
Not training “until one eventually gets it” final day = final day
Available final day options:
Advancement – proceed to classroom training / route familiarization
Voluntary Resignation - if given a satisfactory evaluation other than driving portion, possible to re-apply at a future date (3 yrs.)
Forced Termination – (refusing to sign resignation) no return option

8. Instructor Consistency
KEY #3
Instructor Consistency
Instructor Selection, Hiring Criteria
Tracking / Accountability
Establishing a Lead Instructor
(Are all on the “same page” with their teachings)

9. KEY #4 Do you have any? What are they?
Automatic (final day) Disqualifiers
Do you have any?
What are they?
(Guilty of any, no longer eligible to continue in training)

10. AUTOMATIC FINAL DAY DISQUALIFIERS
INFRACTIONS:
Curb Rubbing / Jumping
Abrupt / Heavy Braking
Excessive Speed
Mirror set up / utilization issues
Dangerous Action
Insufficient / Excessive Clearance etc.
Guilty of any of the above on FINAL training day, it’s over
How much do you tolerate on FINAL “show me” day
Instructors must agree on “Automatics” that will result in a FINAL day disqualification

11. Route Familiarization Operator Program
KEY #5
Route Familiarization Operator Program
(RFO’s must fit a profile and be current as to what is being taught to trainees during basic skill development phase)
Recommended qualifications in the RFO selection process:
*Minimum 5 years seniority operating in passenger service
Three year collision free continuous years in passenger service
Three year violation free (attendance and schedule)
Three year free of (verified) incidents involving customer complaints
Participate in RFO annual refresher

12. Corrective Actions Program
KEY #6
Corrective Actions Program
C……orrective
A……ction
R……emedies
E…....nvelope
Do you have one?

13. Tailored prescriptions to combat: (excluding trainings final day)
CORRECTIVE ACTIONS
Tailored prescriptions to combat: (excluding trainings final day)
Collisions
Knockdowns
Curb Jumpers
Abrupt Steering / Braking
Excessive Speed
Failure to “Cover” Right
Failure To Set/Utilize Mirrors
Insufficient Clearance on Right Side
Failure to “Square “off” turns
Failure to utilize “hand over hand” steering

14. Post Training Programs
KEY #7
Post Training Programs
“Probationary Review” – minimum 6 months probation, monthly probie review meetings
“Potential Problem Operator” – magic number gets you in the program
“Annual Refresher Programs” –promoting a system wide “hire to retire philosophy

15. THE MARRIAGE OF TECHNOLOGY: EXPOSING A DANGEROUS ACTION WITH VIDEO TECHNOLOGY, APPLY AND FIX WITH LOW RISK SIMULATED ENVRONMENT CORRECTIVE ACTIONS
Removes the threat of physical harm
Allows for higher frequency of repetition to hasten knowledge transfer
Desired conditions are immediately available
Replay/Review/Retry allow students to perfect skills
Provides immediate and objective feedback
Exposes training inconsistencies in the training staff

16. CONCLUSION Problem: Training Solution:
Early Collision Curve → Insufficient Probation
Inconsistent BSD Teachings → Standardized Curriculum
Inconsistent RFO Message at Depot → RFO Program
Repeat of Top Collisions → Corrective Actions Program
Keeping the “Best” in Service → Post Training Programs

17. WHAT EACH OF YOU CAN DO IMMEDIATELY
Make the 3 S’s of transportation your daily SOP
1) SAFETY
2) SERVICE
3) SCHEDULE

18. FINAL THOUGHT
Remember, it’s the instructors “moral responsibility” to only allow the “cream of the crop” of students to advance beyond the training bus into passenger service, never putting a student in a position to increase claims or put themselves or the riding public in harms way.
As an instructor evaluating each of your students on the final day of training, ask yourself “tomorrow would I allow my family to board the bus of this student that I am about to advance forward?” If you have to think about it, take that as a NO!!! If additional training is available, fine. If training days have been exhausted, you must release the student.

19. NEVER FORGET… THANK YOU!
Louis G. Maiello Director Training Services Transit Training Solutions (TTS) Phone: (845)
NEVER FORGET…