The Office of the Traffic Commissioners has determined that virtual courses can be used in place of classroom-based training, allowing operators to continue to acquire the knowledge they need to run safe operations during the lockdown period.
A number of service providers have already met the criteria the commissioners have put in place for providing online training packages. All virtual training courses need to meet a set of criteria and be as close to classroom-based training as possible. The criteria are:
– Making sure the participant and instructor are visible to each other at all times
– The participant taking part by means of a tablet, laptop or PC with camera and microphone
– The course replicating as closely as possible the same content as would be delivered in a classroom
– The course provider needing to be able to identify all participants
– The instructor needing to be able to interact with participants, display material and discuss it simultaneously
– The inclusion of some element of assessment during the training, to check participants have actively engaged in the course.
Safer Transport
Furthermore, the Department for Transport has issued new guidance for operators on how to ensure best practice and provide a safe transport environment for workers and passengers. Commenting on the new government guidance, Anthony Smith, Chief Executive of Transport Focus, said:
“Many passengers will welcome the advice to wear a face coverings. In Transport Focus’s latest survey over half of people say they wouldn’t be happy using public transport unless passengers are required to wear face masks.
“It’s important that the transport industry now builds on this guidance so passengers using buses, trains and trams are clear what to expect from their operator as well as what’s expected of them.”
This document can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-transport-guidance-for-operators
