SMRT Enhances Training Programme for Taxi Partners

As part of on-going efforts to provide service excellence to our passengers, SMRT Taxis will be revamping its training programme for its taxi partners. The enhanced training programme continues to underscore the key components of our service framework, namely safety, reliability, care and comfort for our passengers, and will feature a more robust syllabus with practical training sessions.

“A newer, more comprehensive training package brings greater value to our partners, as they will be better equipped to address the demands of an extremely dynamic industry. The new programme will bring renewed focus to three key areas: customer service, safe driving, and proficiency in the use of new technology to maximize opportunities. SMRT has pioneered this effort to raise training standards for its taxi partners, and we are proud to share this with the rest of the industry as well,” said Mr. Benny Lim, Managing Director of SMRT Roads.

Currently, taxi partners are required to attend a one-day Customer Service and Road Safety course before they commence service with SMRT. The new two-day programme, to be launched in early 2015, will be organised along two main sessions:

• Operational Excellence This will equip taxi partners with knowledge of taxi operations such as information on general and insurance policies, usage of taxi equipment, and ways in which they can smartly tap onto new technologies including web portals and third party applications. This will be complemented by a Customer Service module that provides more detailed information on the company’s core values, the roles of a taxi driver, overcoming day-to-day challenges, and better customer care. As far as possible, these lessons will be supported by case studies.

• Safe Driving This will focus on Road Safety theory and practical lessons, and will cover practical, safe and defensive driving skills, which will better equip our partners to deal with unexpected road conditions. Partners will also be assessed to ensure optimal retention of the theory lessons. They will be taken through a practical driving session, where our trainers will review and suggest improvements to their performance.

SMRT believes in playing a hands-on role in introducing programmes that benefit not just its taxi partners but the wider taxi-hirer community in Singapore. As we continue to raise training standards, we are also working closely with partners and the authorities to ensure efforts like the two-hirer and relief-driver schemes will help us enhance our operational standards. 

                                                                          -End-