Private hire firm giant Addison Lee has announced it is investing £7.5m over the next five years to improve driver training.
The minicab company claims this is the largest investment of its kind in the industry, and said it is part of the company’s “Going the Extra Mile” scheme launched earlier this year to improve safety standards.
All drivers will be offered the chance to complete an in-house Diploma course, which will focus on improving driving skills, awareness and safety on the road.
As part of the programme, Addison Lee will monitor drivers to ensure the increased standards are met, while the company said the scheme “will go hand-in-hand with Transport for London’s efforts to raise standards in the private hire industry.”
“We care about our customers’ journeys as much as they do, and this new investment will ensure our drivers can continue to go the extra mile to provide the service our customers expect,” said Andy Boland, CEO of Addison Lee. “No other business is investing on this scale to train its drivers. Our training allows our drivers to not only improve their service but also make best use of the latest technology in our cars.”
Current modules being taught to drivers include courses on equality and diversity, cycle safety and working with new technology. As part of the investment, the company will move its training headquarters to a new building in Hayes, west London.