Gourtto STORY (Autumn 2023)

The City of Yokohama, Transportation Bureau magazine "Gurutto" introduces people who work on municipal subways and buses under the title "Works STATION."
This series focuses on the backside of municipal transportation, which is hard to know in daily life. We will deliver interviews that did not fit in the magazine as a web-only article!　This time, we have an interview with Kazuki Akita of Gold Mustard Leiber, an excellent bus crew born in 2023.

In the future, he will become a crew member of a municipal bus. I thought it only
Kazuki Akita is said to have grown up on 36 municipal buses. I visit my grandmother's house with my family and go out to play with my sister. The bus crew had been a longing since I was little. Akita, who became a high school student, was asked about his career in a three-way interview and answered just a word in front of his teacher and his parents.
"I will become a crew member of a municipal bus."
He gained experience as a bus crew member at another company and now has more than 21 years of career in City of Yokohama, Transportation Bureau. In 2023, he was appointed as "Gold mustard Leiber" and works as a selected bus crew.
City of Yokohama, Transportation Bureau's Masterd Leiber system was launched in FY2011 with the aim of motivating bus crews and improving driving and customer service skills. As of the current fiscal year, Masterd Leiber accounts for only 18% of all crew members. Mr. Akita says, "There are no mistakes, no accidents, no complaints."
"I am appointed based on the operation results such as the smoothness of driving operation, the presence or absence of accidents, and customer service attitudes. If you have an accident due to your own mistake, you will lose your title immediately."
From fiscal 2020, higher levels were set in the mustard Leiber system, such as "Silver" and "Gold." Mr. Akita has been the mustard Leiber for several years to become Gold mustard Leiber. The golden badge on the chest is proof of it.

If you treat yourself well, the other person will be better.
In addition to regular work, Gold mustard Leiber also provides driving technical guidance and customer service guidance to new bus crews. There are times when Mr. Akita tells newcomers about customer service. It is the work of a person's mind, "the principle of returnability."
"It's a psychology that if you treat the other person well, the other person will be better."

Mr. Akita told me an unusual episode that proves the teaching. On that day, I was driving a bus bound for Tsunashima Station. The road is so crowded that I can't proceed at all. It is said that it was an hour behind the schedule to arrive at the destination.
"I've been waiting for a long time.…。 My heart was pounding all the time. I'm sorry for the announcement while driving. "I'm very sorry to have kept you waiting in the rain. I'm doing my best to put up with the restroom." Then the customer will laugh."
Eventually, some people in the car said, "The driver is not bad." When we arrived in front of Tsunashima Station, we received applause from customers. "This is my first time," says Akita.

Anyway, difficult work
A municipal bus that runs with the lives of people, whether it is rainy or snowy, there is an accident or road construction. So, how do you prevent mistakes and accidents?
"I announce that "I'll turn left next" or "This bus is going to the station" to guide customers and tell them not to make a mistake."
Even if you were on the route going straight at the intersection yesterday, it may be the route that turns left today. He seems to be careful every day to make sure there are no mistakes in the operation or route. So what about accident prevention measures?

"To be aware of the danger as soon as possible, do" driving to look for danger ". Know the dangerous spots on the driving route and place your feet on the brake when passing through. If something happens, it will change greatly depending on the time you move your foot from the accelerator to the brake. I think it's so severe."
Even for veteran Akita, the bus crew is a difficult task.
"When I talk really, it can be early in the morning and late at night. It's not an easy job."
Still, Mr. Akita continues. "It's rewarding. If a small child shakes his hand when waiting for a traffic light, he will unintentionally turn his hand back. When I was little, I also longed to drive a big bus. I would be grateful if as many children as possible aim to become bus crew."
I hope you will experience their high driving skills.