Manchester Buses to Get Free Wi-Fi

If you’ve been looking for a reason to take PCV driver training in the greater Manchester area, recent plans confirmed by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) might be just what you’ve been looking for. According to bus operator First and TfGM, the company’s entire fleet of 800 vehicles will be equipped with Wi-Fi next year.
The £1 million installations is part of a greater plan to fit the buses with GPS technology that will allow passengers and the operator to track buses for punctuality. First, provide the data to customers via a smartphone app and a number of travel websites.

As for the free Wi-Fi, it is already available on routes in Oldham and Bolton. Once the entire fleet is outfitted, the company hopes it will encourage people to leave their cars behind in favour of public transportation. The free Wi-Fi allows commuters to start working on the way into the office and tidy up loose ends on the way home.  In fact, it provides Internet to every rider, whether or not work needs to be done.

A Growing Trend

The decision to install Wi-Fi in the Manchester fleet is certainly not the first of its kind. Other bus companies have done the same for both local and regional routes. Adding it is part of a grand effort to increase overall ridership while decreasing the number of cars on the road.

So what does that have to do with you deciding to undergo PCV driver training? It has everything to do with it if the plan is successful. In other words, more drivers will need to be hired if ridership increases beyond current capacity. If enough riders take advantage of the Manchester buses, new routes could be added as well.

It all comes down to passenger traffic. If that increases substantially, First will have a greater need for new buses and drivers. And of course, there are always drivers retiring or moving on to other careers. Work should be available with First, and other bus operators, regardless of where they are located.

Right now, there is a shortage of qualified drivers in the UK for a number of reasons. The combination of a rebounding economy, driver retirements, and the new CPC mandate has resulted in a good number of open positions around the country. You could complete your PCV driver training and begin looking for one of those positions in just a matter of months.

If you already have a full car licence, you are ready to start the process. You will need to pass a routine medical exam, apply for your PCV provisional entitlement, pass your PCV theory test, and then receive your practical skills training. When all is said and done, you will take your practical skills test at a designated facility.

The HGV Training is here to assist you by helping you make it happen. If you are ready to undergo PCV / HGV training in Manchester, we are ready to enrol you in our classes.