Efforts to improving safety and quality
KOTOBUS is the first bus company in Shikoku that has acquired ISO39001 certification.
We are responsible of taking all passengers safe to the destination place.
-
Operation manager
Director Shimpei Nishimura -
In charge of compliance
Ikushi Miyamoto -
The head of Tokushima office
Kiyoshi Okamoto -
Leader of bus crew
Isao Okamoto
About ISO39001
The purpose of ISO39001 is to create a safe society by getting rid of deaths and serious injuries related to road traffic accidents. The number of deaths from road traffic accidents worldwide is more than 1.3million people per year and the number of people with serious injuries is more than 50million people per year which is leading efforts for road traffic safety show importance worldwide. Due to these backgrounds, ISO39001 was issued in October, 2012 as the most reliable international standard of road traffic safety in the world.
A clean and safe bus journey
Operation management system
The company runs a 24 hour operation management system. In addition to managing drivers during operations, we also ensure that each driver's health is managed and safety instructions are given during roll calls before and after each trip.
-
Alcohol check
Before the start of a shift and during roll calls after the end of a shift, we visually check the complexion of the crew, the smell of their breath, and the tone of their voices when they respond, and we also use breathalyzers to check for any alcohol intoxication.
-
Roll call
Before starting a shift, the operations manager always conducts a roll call to check the driver's physical condition, route, driver's license, and alcohol status.
-
Vehicle inspection
Before starting their shift, drivers carry out appropriate inspections to ensure safe operation. In addition, on expressways, drivers also carry out safety inspections of their vehicles at each rest stop at service areas. After driving, they also check for any abnormalities.
-
Digital tachograph
It is a digital driving recorder that automatically records the bus's speed and operating time. This allows the driver's habits to be read and used to provide guidance on safe driving. It is also effective in encouraging eco-driving.
-
Dash Cam
The vehicle is equipped with a drive recorder that records video. This will encourage drivers to drive safely, which will lead to improved operational safety.
-
car wash
After each trip, the driver carefully cleans the interior and washes the vehicle so that passengers can ride in comfort the next day.
Aiming to improve the quality of our crew members
-
Safety Instructions
We strive to improve safety by holding regular meetings to share accident cause analyses and near miss cases among crew members.
-
Employee training
All drivers gather together to review the basics of the necessary driving techniques, train to review their own driving habits, and receive education with an instructor on board, with the aim of improving the quality of our drivers.
-
Accident-free driving award and outstanding driver award system
Drivers who make an effort to prevent accidents during driving are awarded with an Accident-Free Driving Award. In addition, drivers who make an effort to put these into practice are awarded with an Excellent Driver Award.
Aiming to improve the quality of our services
Efforts to improving quality of service
In order to provide service with the best quality, our project team collaborates with external lecturers to improve service for the customers. With the project team leading, we create manuals, hold practical training sessions, and hold seminars to improve our service.
To achieve safety
We introduce cars with high safety performance
We introduce cars with high safety performance sequentially. The car used for the highway buses that run regularly are all "new S'elega and Gala". Out of these buses, newest safety devices such as PCS(Pre-crush Safety System), vehicle stagger alarm, VSC(Vehicle Stability Control) are equipped to the cars of Tokyo line, Fukuoka line and Nagoya line.
* For chartered buses, 6 buses are equipped with the newest safety devices such as the PCS out of the 11 cars in which "new S'elega and Gala" is used.
-
Alert unstable driving. Alert of zigzag driving.
When unstable or zigzag driving is detected, an alarm will go off and encourage driver to take a rest. If the alarm continues, the operation of PCS will fasten.
-
Prevention of danger of rolling over and slipping on snow-cover roads.
* VSC=Vehicle Stability Control
In order to prevent car from going over the line or turning over on carves, equipment such as an alarm sound, limitation of speed and brake operation will help driver avoid danger.
-
Alert goes off when the distance between cars get close. New Safety Eye.
When the distance between the preceding vehicle gets closer than safe distance, an alert will be shown on the multi-information display and a buzzer alarm will go off.
-
In case of an emergency, alert will be notified to the car behind. Function of emergency brake light.
If the car brakes suddenly due to foot brake or PCS, the stop lamp will flash. In addition, in the case of collision, hazard lamp will flash and call attention of the car behind, and an emergency brake lamp in order to reduce secondhand damage has been equipped.
PDCA Cycle
In order to ensure that "safety takes precedence over everything else," we base our activities on the four components of Plan, Do, Check, and Act, and strive to avoid foreseeable critical situations or minimize the damage that may result from them.
FAQ regarding improvement of safety and quality of KOTOBUS
- What kind of checkup is done before driving?
-
Before each driver's shift, the operations manager must conduct a roll call to check the driver's physical condition, route, driver's license, and alcohol intake test using an alcohol testing machine.
- Is safety check performed with the buses?
-
Drivers inspect vehicles before starting their shifts and maintenance managers check them. In addition, on expressways, drivers also inspect vehicles for safety before taking a break at service areas.
- What should I do if I feel uncomfortable about safeness during the bus ride?
-
If you notice anything suspicious or have any concerns during your trip, we have an emergency contact number. Our staff will respond to your inquiries 24 hours a day. We have also installed customer surveys on the buses, so if you have any concerns, please send us your "customer feedback."