Oct. 2, 2008

Media contact: Michelle Coats, APR, Community Information Specialist
(386)748-3865 or mcoats@co.volusia.fl.us

Regional Transit System Training Center opens at Votran headquarters
Votran a training site for transit drivers around the state

A regional training facility at Votran’s headquarters in South Daytona is set to open Oct. 3. A ribbon cutting will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 3, at Votran headquarters to celebrate the opening of the regional training facility. Volusia County Council members and local leaders will be on hand for the ceremony and tours of the facility.

“We are proud to host such cutting-edge training technology,” said Lois Bollenback, Votran general manager. "The Regional Training Center will offer advanced training opportunities to transit agencies while reducing the time commitments and travel costs associated with specialized training.”

Drivers and mechanics from Florida’s transit systems can come to Votran for state-of-the-art training. The project is a partnership between the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Votran and will serve transit agencies primarily in central and northeast Florida.

The FDOT is creating a network of regional transit training centers that will make it more convenient for transit system to provide additional training for operations and maintenance personnel.

The multi-year development of FDOT’s second regional training center included the modification of a Votran building for classrooms and training space. FDOT provided the training equipment, including an operations training simulator, and assisted with the development of the curriculum. Votran, in coordination with the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR), will do a baseline evaluation of the safety and training programs and monitor benefits in the future. Maintenance training modules including and engine cradle and other on-board systems are also included.

“The simulator will provide state-of-the-art training for our drivers and drivers from around the country,” said Jim Dorsten, Votran’s director of administration. “Well-trained operators and mechanics are much safer, more efficient and more reliable - which leads to reduced operating costs.”

The FDOT provided half of the center’s $1 million price tag. The Federal Transit Administration contributed $400,000 for the renovation of the building and Votran is providing an in-kind match, including the value of the building and its refurbishment, staff time and coordination with CUTR.

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