TAXIstars, a unique European Commission funded initiative to develop a free multilingual online taxi training platform, wrapped up last week in Athens.
ATHENS – The project TAXIstars, managed by IRU and partners from nine European countries, developed the tailor-made platform for taxi drivers in seven different languages over the last three years.
“This new on-line learning platform will boost safety and service quality in taxi fleets across Europe and beyond,” said Patrick Philipp, Head of the IRU Academy.
The final conference brought together industry representatives, stakeholders and policymakers in the taxi sector to look at learning and examination trends for the fast-changing sector. The conference also showcased the online and mobile e-learning material developed by the initiative and other members of the IRU Taxi Group from around the world.
The TAXIstars learning application is now live, free to download for iOS and Android devices, as well as from the web for both on-line and printed use: in English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian and Spanish.
Structured in mini-lessons, which can be taken even during short breaks, the platform includes topics such as driver well-being, ergonomics, complacency, emergency case management, personal safety, service orientation and social interaction, conflict management, and eco-driving.
“This unique on-the-go training platform will help thousands of taxi drivers,” said Hubert Andela, President of IRU’s Taxi Group, “reinforcing the standards set through IRU’s rapidly expanding Global Taxi Network and its quality charter”.
TAXIstars is part of the IRU Academy’s work on improving safety and service standards in road transport through better education, and IRU’s broader efforts for legal taxi operators and their customers worldwide through its Global Taxi Network, taxi campaigns, and policy work with its members in the taxi sector.
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