This program, directed and funded by the Florida Department of Transportation, serves to provide training for bus operator trainers at the transit agency level through a state approved certified training curriculum.  There are three courses which have been designated as requirements for successful certification by the Florida Operations Network.  They are:

• Instructor’s Course in Bus Operator Training (FT00429)
• Fatigue Awareness Seminars (TSI FT00473, FT00474, FT00526, FT00462)
• Training the Trainer:  Driver Wellness, Conflict Avoidance and Emotional Intelligence 

Each trainer who successfully completes the criteria is awarded a Certificate of Completion though the program from the Florida Department of Transportation.  The program is administered by the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) at the University of South Florida .  An annual training schedule offering classes regionally throughout the state provides opportunities for all transit agency operator trainers who wish to participant in Florida ’s voluntary bus operator trainer training program.

In addition to funding the training offered through the program, the Florida Department of Transportation also reimburses Florida ’s transit agency participants for travel reimbursement (state of Florida regulations on travel) through USF.   This travel reimbursement subsidy has been instrumental in making the program a success because very few costs are passed on to the transit agencies.