Go Bus drivers awarded the title Bus Driver of the Year 2018
Today, the Northern Estonian Public Transport Centre announced the winners of the competition Bus Driver of the Year 2018, and there are two Go Bus drivers among them: Mart-Lembit Karu in Lääne-Viru County and Ants Randmaa in Harju County.
CEO of the Northern Estonian Public Transport Centre Andrus Umboja said at today’s ceremony that public transport is only as good as the bus companies and their drivers. “It depends on them whether people get on the bus on time, whether the bus is in good condition and safe, whether the driver greets the passengers. The smallest details often matter. Today, we would like to thank the drivers who serve people in the best sense of the word.”
According to Sirly Miltop, the representative of the PTC who led the organisation of the competition, the objective of the event is to recognise the bus drivers who do a great job every day. “People often speak about bus drivers when something has gone wrong. And yet, these incidents are rare compared to the kilometres that drivers cover every day. When we board a bus, we trust the driver with our life and health, but we don’t tend to thank them for it that often.”
Miltop added that the aspects most praised about the nominees were punctuality, politeness and a good mood. “These characteristics were mentioned the most in the case of these drivers.”
Both Go Bus drivers who won the title said they were pleased about the recognition, but this is not why they go to work every day.
“My principle is treating others the way you want to be treated,” said Ants Randmaa. “I keep that in mind when I drive a bus. I believe there are many good bus drivers, they just haven’t got here yet.”
Mart-Lembit Karu, who has been a bus driver for fifty years, said that being considerate to people is the most important thing when you drive a bus. “A good driver must have three qualities: communication skills, kindness and helpfulness,” said the driver, who gives children candy for behaving well on the bus. “If you’re kind and polite, the passengers respond in kind.”
CEO of Go Bus Andrei Mändla is pleased that good bus drivers are getting recognised. “I’m pleased that we have good bus drivers and that they are getting noticed and recognised. I’m sure that there are many more bus drivers who do a good job every day than the ones recognised here today.”
The Northern Estonian Public Transport Centre organised the Bus Driver of the Year competition for the third time by inviting people to give feedback on their positive experiences with bus drivers. Drivers were nominated by passengers as well as representatives of local governments and carriers. Five bus drivers in Lääne-Viru County, Rapla County, Harju County and Lääne County won the title this year.
Drivers who perform their duties well and are friendly and helpful, guarantee that tickets are sold to passengers or their Public Transport Cards are validated appropriately and instruct them if necessary, pay attention in traffic and drive smoothly and safely, were considered eligible for a nomination.
