Taxi, auto drivers taking lessons in etiquette

Training being given to drivers at the Haryana Institute of Public Administration in Gurgaon

Apart from teaching basics of English Language and etiquette, drivers are being taught first-aid

Considering that first impressions generally are the last, taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers at Indira Gandhi International Airport here who would be among the first to interact with foreign visitors coming over for the Commonwealth Games later this year, are being imparted training in English language, etiquette and first-aid so that they may serve as brand ambassadors for the country.

Training is being imparted to these drivers at the Haryana Institute of Public Administration in Gurgaon to enable them to interact better and converse in English with sportspersons and other officials and visitors coming in from abroad.

Crucial role

Stating that these drivers would be playing a crucial role in image-building, Institute director Rajni Shekhari Sibal said if their behaviour towards the visitors is good then the latter would return home with a good image of the country in mind.

As part of their training in English, the drivers are being taught to welcome the visitors with a “Good morning!”, “Good afternoon!” or “Good evening!”. Then they are being taught small sentences like “My name is....”, “I am your driver....”, or “Please come....”

The drivers will henceforth also be asking questions such as “Do you have a hotel booking?”, “Where would you like to go?”, “Which hotel?”, “Do you have change?” and “Are you comfortable?”. They will also try to make their passengers comfortable with small phrases like “No problem….”.

Apart from learning English, the drivers are also being taught stress management and first aid. In first-aid administration they are being trained in handling passengers in the event of a heart attack, road accident or any other emergency.

Star categories

Ms. Sibal informed that in the training programme being carried out by the Institute the drivers performing the best would be given four stars for affixing on their uniform. Others would be given three or two stars depending on their performance.

By the time the Commonwealth Games begin, the Institute would have trained about 3,500 taxi drivers and 8,000 auto-rickshaw drivers. The training programme is being conducted by the Institute in association with the Indian Institute of Public Administration, the Institute of Hotel Management, Delhi, and India Tourism Development Corporation. The drivers are also being imparted training on different routes of the National Capital Region and being taught the basic history of the country so that they are able to give the right information to the tourists.

The names, contact numbers and vehicle numbers of all the trained drivers will be put on the official website of the Union Tourism Ministry, Delhi Police and the Institute for easy accessibility.

Ms. Sibal said that from February the Institute would also be conducting a similar training programme for the drivers and conductors of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC).