The government will work closely with the coach and bus industry to design the mandatory driver training measures laid down in the Bus Services (No.2) Bill in England that are aimed at safeguarding women and girls, tackling anti-social behaviour and supporting disabled passengers, Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood has confirmed.
Speaking to routeone during an event at North Weald Airfield on 25 March where he joined Essex County Cricket Club’s Matt Critchley and Paul Walter in a head-to-head bus driving challenge, Mr Lightwood highlighted a need to raise professional standards through training, while adopting a collaborative approach to reform.
“Today was about seeing how important training is for apprentices so we can increase our number of bus drivers across the country. It was a tricky course but it’s important that we continue to drive up standards,” he says.
“That’s why in the Bus Services Bill we’re introducing further mandatory training around anti-social behaviour and tackling violence against women and girls. The training will also cover disabilities, as we want to make sure that our public transport system is accessible to everybody.” Mr Lightwood stresses that the new training, which will be required every five years, will be shaped in partnership with the industry. “It’s important that when we are devising the actual training contents that we’re working with industry and stakeholders to pull that together, rather than implementing that ourselves,” he says.
The event at North Weald came as part of a wider push to encourage new entrants into driving, including through apprenticeships. Mr Lightwood underscores the importance of government intervention in recruiting that new generation.
“It’s important that we are able to attract the next generation of bus drivers, especially more women bus drivers. That’s where the government, working with trade bodies such as the Confederation of Passenger Transport, can look at what further interventions it can make to make it easier and smoother for people to become bus drivers.
“The previous government did some consultation on this, and that is on my desk. I am currently considering the next steps.”
