Yucatan public transport operators are receiving state-of-the-art training using the most innovative public transport driving simulators in the country. This is the first time in history that operators are being trained to combat bad habits in this service.
According to a statement, with the first and only Public Transport Operator Training Institute in the country, the Yucatán Transportation Agency has trained a total of 2,977 route operators of the “Va y Ven” transportation system to date, transforming public transport not just a matter of changing units but also of providing a safe and quality service.
This space features two high-tech simulators that create virtual reality scenarios that assess driving safety and efficiency by testing drivers in risky situations such as storms, unexpected animal crossings, obstacles, coexistence with cyclists, and compliance with traffic regulations. They also feature the latest technological components to achieve an urban experience that is as close to reality as possible.
Driver Luis Eduardo Cetina, who earned one of the highest scores on the simulator, stated that this tool gives him more confidence behind the wheel, knowing how to react in different road scenarios.
“The lessons we see in the simulator are very good because before, they just gave you the keys and told you to get out and drive. However, here with virtual reality, you can practice with obstacles and other types of scenarios. Here, driver education lessons are very useful because before, there were operators who drove as they pleased, and now we go out and provide the service prepared to ensure greater safety for users,” said the driver.
Also, operator Andrés Xoc, who already had experience in conventional public transportation and earned a near-perfect 9.9 rating, noted that he had never seen public transportation drivers trained at this level, which is also part of the improvement of this service.
“Thanks to the training we receive here from the instructors, and the advice of our colleagues, we can offer better service to users every day,” said Andrés.
Through the use of these simulators, the system itself issues a diagnosis and rating of the operators, which yields results in topics such as driving habits and safety. If they receive a passing grade, they can continue their training at the institute; otherwise, they will have to repeat the training.
The ATY simulators feature a total of 54 models of transport units, including articulated buses, King Long buses, and Ie-trams, among others. These simulators are part of the 180-hour training program (60 hours in simulators, 80 hours of practical training, and 40 hours of theoretical training) that each operator must complete in topics such as electronic payments, care for people with disabilities, emotional and psychological health, stress management, bicycle rack management, and mechanisms for Va y Ven units. All of this is provided by the Yucatán Public Transport Operators Training and Certification Institute.
These training programs reaffirm the Yucatán Transportation Agency’s commitment to offering each passenger a safe, comfortable, and up-to-date ride so they arrive safely at their destination.
TYT Newsroom
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