Post-Pandemic Adjustments

The global landscape has been indelibly marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting public transport services, including BOC, to adapt with agility. In response to the challenges of the pandemic, BOC made pivotal operational adjustments. Arnold Sivhada shared, “During COVID-19, which was an unprecedented situation, we had to rapidly adapt. This led to significant changes, such as modifying the seating arrangements on our trains to ensure social distancing and adjusting the number of passengers allowed onboard at any given time to adhere to safety protocols.” Even as the prevalence of COVID-19 has receded, BOC continues to uphold its commitment to stringent cleanliness and hygiene standards. To keep health and safety at the forefront, the company employs visual and voice prompts, ensuring heightened awareness among both passengers and staff.

A Cornerstone of Safety

Safety has always been a cornerstone of public transportation, and BOC is no exception. Arnold Sivhada delves into the company’s dedication to passenger safety, highlighting their commendable track record in ensuring secure transit for all.

“We have physical safety measures in place as well as digital or technology driven solutions in place which operate and monitor the system 24/7. This is not just focused on the operational safety aspect as in the train leaving and arriving at the next stop safely, this is also about other elements of passenger safety, for example accidently leaving your phone behind when you get off the train, we pride ourselves on you getting your belongings back.” notes Sivhada.

Leveraging Technology for Safety

As technology plays an increasingly vital role in the world of transportation, BOC is actively leveraging tech-driven solutions to enhance safety measures for passengers. Sivhada emphasises that the future of their industry hinges on the successful deployment of technology-driven solutions. BOC intends to harness the technologies available from within RATP Group, such as SafeTracker, to enhance their capability to derive intelligent benefits through big data analysis. This approach will enable them to gain a better understanding of both staff and passenger behaviours, facilitating the creation of bespoke safety solutions that are operational specific to the project/system.

Training for Safety and Competency

Ensuring that staff is well-equipped to prioritize and handle safety concerns is a top priority at BOC. Arnold Sivhada explains that staff undergo rigorous health and safety training programs to enable them to respond swiftly to the daily challenges presented by operational activities. This goes beyond technical skills; train operators are also trained in human factors and associated psychological stressors, including fatigue management. In Sivhada’s words, “Teams must train like they operate, in order to operate like they trained,” underscoring their commitment to continuous training and development.

Feedback and Continuous Improvement

BOC’s safety strategy heavily relies on the active participation of all staff in identifying and reporting at-risk conditions and behaviours. This approach allows staff to provide direct feedback while providing the company with the agility to address identified issues promptly. Such a feedback loop is instrumental in improving overall safety and awareness throughout their operations.

Future Safety Innovations

Arnold Sivhada hints at exciting safety innovations on the horizon for BOC. These include the deployment of tech-driven applications combined with behaviour-based safety (BBS) programs, all aimed at further improving safety across their operations.

Crisis Management

The safety of both staff and passengers is non-negotiable at BOC. They are prepared to handle unforeseen crises or emergencies with the highest standards in mind. Their policies and procedures are well-embedded in their operations, and they regularly conduct exercises and drills to ensure preparedness. Collaboration with local EMS and key stakeholders further enhances their crisis management capabilities.

Skills Development and Partnership

BOC places a strong emphasis on continuous skills development among its workforce. Each employee has an individual development plan aimed at enhancing skills and promoting personal growth. Collaboration with the RATP Dev Group strengthens their training initiatives, ensuring employees receive the necessary training opportunities.

Sustainability Efforts

Sustainability is an integral part of BOC’s operations. They are committed to incorporating sustainable practices and initiatives, particularly in areas such as the environment and carbon emissions reduction.

Public Transport is for Everyone

Arnold Sivhada has a clear message for South Africa, noting the importance of addressing the misconception that public transport is solely for the economically disadvantaged. He emphasizes that efficient and safe public transport is not only cost-effective but also environmentally friendly. In a world where congested roads are a growing concern, efficient public transport can alleviate the burden and reduce environmental impact.

The Bombela Operating Company is at the forefront of ensuring the safety and sustainability of public transportation systems in South Africa. With their unwavering commitment to safety, integration of technology-driven solutions, ongoing skills development, and dedication to sustainability, the BOC team is ideally positioned to provide efficient, safe, and sustainable transportation solutions for years to come -here in South Africa and the region.