Bus News

  Bus training simulators have changed the way we think about driver training. In this video, two subject matter experts discuss the impact made by bus simulation training and some common misconceptions about the process. Learn more about FAAC’s bus training simulators by clicking here. Or contact us directly In this video, Clayne Woodbury (North … Continued

Every transit agency struggles with churn and a shortage of good applicants. Take St. Louis Metro Transit as an example. That agency needs to hire and train at least 100 to 120 operators per year, just to stay ahead of churn. Traditionally, transit agencies have dealt with this by seeking to hire individuals who already … Continued

  Even when transit agencies go out of their way to seek out applicants with prior large/commercial motor vehicle (CMV) experience, they find that those trainees can struggle to learn how to maintain proper right rear clearance, “walk” the bus around the corner, and continue to properly scan the area and mirrors. Increasingly, they are … Continued

  When communities consider investing in bus simulator training, they want to be sure they’ll see a return on that investment (ROI). Rob Raheb is a simulation training expert who’s worked closely with transit agencies for nearly a decade. According to Raheb, it’s natural for any organization to say, “We just spent three-quarters of a … Continued

  Bus during training programs that rely on traditional closed-course driving can struggle to truly test operators’ situational and hazard awareness. Fortunately, these are areas where “permission to fail” simulation training is known to shine.   Simulation Supported Bus Driver Training in Champaign-Urbana Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD) in Illinois has been using FAAC bus … Continued

As Jared Stancil, a VP at Nashville-based Anchor Tours, told a reporter back in 2013, “We have already invested a lot of time and energy in the drivers we have hired, and it is becoming increasingly harder to replace them. This is a very tough market for us to find quality drivers.” Conditions haven’t changed. … Continued

Grand River Transit (GRT) bus operators are practicing their driving skills using a new driver simulator. It’s located at the Strasburg Road facility in Kitchener. In order to create a realistic virtual environment, the simulator was built using actual bus parts. The software is programmed using real bus and roadway dimensions, as well as vehicle … Continued

Mass transit has an image problem. This is a physically demanding job that is as challenging, in many regards, as flying an airplane without the cultural cachet. “I come from the defense industry,” explains Zerry Hogan, an expert in transit and transportation training and simulation. “I started out teaching weapons systems officer training to pilots.  … Continued

A consultant with the Texas Association of Counties instructed about 20 drivers over a two-day period at the Pct. 4 Barn in Kilgore. Pct. 4 Commissioner Shannon Brown invited the TAC after learning about the service, which has shown to practically eliminate driving incidents within the first six months of training, driving simulator consultant Don … Continued

According to the University of Kansas Transportation Center for Rural Transit Providers, “One of the best ways to retain drivers is to eliminate unnecessary job stress. Bus-driving, by nature, can be stressful, but there are some small changes you can make to help retain employees. Continuous training rather than short-term, intensive training when an employee … Continued