Don’t be surprised if your query is met with a polite and prompt response complete with an honorific address of sir/madam at a cacophonic inquiry counter at a KSRTC bus stand next time.
The public sector transportation behemoth seems intent on improving its image among the commuting public. Realising that its front office staff at bus depots remain the direct interface with the people, a training workshop was held to make them the best ambassadors of KSRTC.
The two-day training, the first ever for the front office staff at the KSRTC Staff Training College in Angamaly, which ended on Saturday, focussed on making them more passenger friendly and efficient by primarily ensuring their good behaviour with the public.
The session was attended by 150 front office staff drawn from 30 KSRTC depots in Kottayam, Alappuzha, Idukki, Ernakulam and parts of Thrissur falling under the ambit of the Angamaly training college.
“Since they are constantly in touch with the people, tensions are bound to rise. But it does not hurt to be polite and share a few nice words even if they can’t help with the specific inquiries of passengers. We also tried to instil in them a better sense of their duties and responsibilities,” said M.V. Manoj, who is holding the additional charge of principal at the training college.
A few tips like frequent coordination and communication between the staff in different depots along the same route were discussed at the training. For instance, such communication would help announcements about the near accurate arrival time of buses bound for major destinations in various depots along the way.
It would be a win-win situation for both passengers and the staff. The passengers can avoid running up to the inquiry counter frequently for information, which in turn would reduce the work load of workers, Mr. Manoj said. Similarly, the front office staff at any bus depot are expected to be equipped to provide information or contact number of any other depots in the State or even outside.
