NUR-SULTAN – Astana LRT has opened a driving school at the capital’s Transport Specialist Qualification Centre to reduce the shortage of bus drivers, improve the professional level and decrease the average age of the current drivers, and popularise the specialty. Students will be able to earn driving licenses in all categories.
Photo credit: inform.kz.
“A driver’s license of this (D) category allows one to drive passenger buses and is issued to people who do not have medical contraindications who have reached the age of 25. Teachers and instructors of the centre have many years of experience and will teach candidates all the intricacies of driving D category vehicles,” reported the Astana LRT press service.
In addition to reducing driver shortage, the organisation noted the school seeks to improve access to the speciality and increase its prestige. It will educate at the highest level to ensure service and road safety.
Before being hired, each potential candidate must undergo training at the centre. Drivers are checked for traffic rule knowledge and safe driving techniques, and psychological testing is completed, including determining the individual’s attention, reaction speed and stress resistance. Based on the recommendations of the centre’s experts, a decision is made to allow a driver to transport passengers.
Astana LRT was established in April 2011 under the Astana Department of Passenger Transport and Highways. It is working to establish a new transport system in the capital involving Light Rail Transport (LRT) and Intellectual Transport System (ITS). The organisation’s main goals include modernising transport and implementing innovative projects in the industry using new technologies, transport and infrastructure management.
Astana LRT consists of three branches – Centre for Astana Transport Operators, Competency Centre for Transport Experts and Service for Transport Control. It also conducts transport research, analysing the city’s road network and passenger flow. The organisation interacts with international consultants from leading companies such as Bureau Veritas, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), PwC, Swarco, Systra and Typsa.
