Twenty-four bus and coach operators will graduate from a University of Queensland-organised accreditation course at a ceremony at the Tabletop Room, Picnic Point in the Park, Tourist Road, Toowoomba on Sunday, July 20 at 5.30pm.
The operators have completed the Certificate of Transport Management program conducted by the University's Graduate School of Management throughout Queensland for the Queensland Department of Transport.
About 838 people from Cairns to the Gold Coast have enrolled in the program since 1995, some returning to formal study for the first time in 30 or 40 years.
Course graduates have signalled their intent for more professional development with the formation of their own Transport Studies Alumni. The Alumni group was formed in Brisbane in April and will be launched for the Toowoomba region at the University ceremony.
Paul Lutvey, Manager (Public Transport) Queensland Department of Transport, will be guest speaker and present graduates with certificates.
Speakers will also include Transport Studies Alumni president Gwen Brooks (Glasshouse Country Coaches) and the director of financial planning company Templetons, Lionel Larman, who will discuss personal financial planning and planning for retirement.
Program director and lecturer in the GSM Malcolm Johnson said the Transport Studies Alumni would create opportunities for networking and for members to keep informed of issues that impacted on the industry.
'The Alumni will actively support development and maintenance of good operating standards across the bus and coach industry and will provide a professional development forum,' he said.
'It will enable members to tap into the wealth of experience existing among operators.'
Mr Johnson said in 1995 the GSM won a contract to develop and deliver the Certificate of Transport Management course for the Queensland Department of Transport. The course followed significant reforms to bus and coach industry programs in 1994.
The certificate program highlights industry best practice and provides an opportunity for operators to optimise their business operations. Courses offered include School Services, Long Distance, Tour and Charter, and Commercial/Urban Services.
Participants completing the eight-day Commercial course are accredited for all types of operations, including School Services, and Long Distance, Tour and Charter.
Topics covered in the Commercial course include the bus and coach industry in Queensland, accounting for business management, services marketing, business development, human resource management, safety routines and programmed maintenance, bus operations, and scheduling and timetabling.
The course was developed by the GSM working closely with a Queensland Department of Transport team and industry groups comprising the Bus Operators Association of Queensland and the Bus and Coach Association of Queensland.
'The underlying philosophy of the Certificate of Transport Management is to provide an opportunity for operators to work on their businesses,' Mr Johnson said.
'Too frequently, operators are consumed by a myriad of day-to-day operational issues. The courses provide a forum to analyse and discuss valuable best-practice issues relating to the direction and operation of their businesses.'
There are an estimated 1200 bus and coach operators in Queensland.
Graduating students at the Toowoomba ceremony are:
- Donald Lergesner Laidley Bus Service
- Ruth Lergesner Laidley Bus Service
- Darren Truss Picnic Point Coaches
- Suzanne Porter D & S Porter Transport
- David French Dalby Buses
- Edna Goodwin West Warwick Coaches
- Cameron Haidley Haidley's Coaches
- Bernie Washington Washington Specialised Services Pty Ltd
- Lynnette Baines School Bus Operator
- Graham Krog School Bus Operator
- Daphne Bennett School Bus Operator
- Gregory Zischke School Bus Operator
- Geoff Smith School Bus Operator
- William Luhrs School Bus Operator
- Dianne Hubbard School Bus Operator
- Bev Brown School Bus Operator
- Vicki Gibbs School Bus Operator
- Kaye Maguire School Bus Operator
- Robert McDowell School Bus Operator
- Coral McDonald School Bus Operator
- Rhonda Geisel School Bus Operator
- Don Stack School Bus Operator
- Brian Barr School Bus Operator
- Susan Dann School Bus Operator
For further information, contact Mr Johnson, telephone (mobile) 0419 741135, (work) 07 3365 6667.
