26 August 2009 / TODAY'S ZAMAN WITH WIRES, ANKARA
The Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Transportation Department (EGO) General Directorate has launched a series of classes, including training in public relations, personal care, hygiene and driving techniques, for drivers since they have been receiving complaints about “drivers' rude and unprofessional behavior.”
EGO General Director Ömer Ulu told the Anatolia news agency on Tuesday that as a result of the year-long program, drivers will be more professional and citizens' complaints will thus be addressed. Noting that a driver's work is stressful and difficult, Ulu said drivers will do their job more professionally following the training. Stating that users of mass transportation should call EGO or access the Internet to file complaints when they encounter a problem, Ulu said the main situation citizens face is quarrels between citizens and drivers.Reminding people that most of the complaints last year were about the “dilapidated and old buses,” Ulu said this year citizens are not happy with “drivers' rude and unprofessional behavior.” Through the training, Ulu said, “we decided to educate our personnel. We called for a tender to determine which company would provide the training.” Noting that there are also many complaints about drivers who smoke or speak on the phone while driving, Ulu mentioned that it is very dangerous to smoke on buses which run on natural gas. Recalling that drivers who smoke in vehicles using natural gas receive a two-day cut in pay, Ulu said other drivers who smoke while driving in vehicles using diesel fuel will get a warning and punishment.
Saying that they receive nearly 40 complaints a day from citizens concerning drivers, Ulu claimed citizens' problems will be solved and drivers will perform their jobs better as a result of this one-year training.
