Monmouthshire Taxi Drivers Prepare for Ryder Cup

Monmouthshire's licensed taxi drivers have been given an opportunity for extra training to prepare for the huge increase in trade that the Ryder Cup will bring when it comes to Wales this autumn.

Capital Region Tourism, who are part funding Monmouthshire County Council's Cab Safe scheme this year, are running the course with Visit Wales. It covers three key aspects - Customer Service, Welsh Language & Sense of Place - with a Ryder Cup theme running through each aspect. It encourages businesses to develop best practice customer service and to learn more about their local area, what's on offer for visitors and how best to utilise that knowledge in order to offer an authentic Warm Welsh welcome, leaving visitors in no doubt that they are in Wales. All trainees receive access to supporting material, in the form of a pocket sized booklet, regular twitter updates and a website - ensuring drivers can access tips on how to deliver that all important Warm Welsh Welcome, whenever and wherever they are.

Cab Safe allows someone in need of a taxi to simply text CAB to 83222. They will receive a text back with the numbers of three randomly picked licensed and regulated Private Hire/Hackney Carriage operators closest to their location. Their location is pinpointed through their mobile phone signal. Cab safe is also part funded by the Police and the scheme operates in all five local authorities in the Gwent area, Monmouthshire, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly and Newport.

A spokesperson said:

"Although the Ryder Cup isn't being held in Monmouthshire, I am sure that many of the spectators will want to stay here. And who can blame them? We have gorgeous countryside, some of Wales's best restaurants and some beautiful places to visit if the golf gets too much. And anyone who uses a taxi in Monmouthshire is assured of the best possible service, thanks to this special training and Cab Safe, which has been funded this year by Capital region Tourism."

Taxi companies that wish to access the training should contact Contact Chris Allen at Capital Regional Tourism on 02920 416418 or chris.allen@capitalregiontourism.org . Training is available up to 30th June 2010. Please let us know if you are able to host the training on your premises. Capital Region Tourism will then arrange the training for you and confirm the time, date, location & trainer for your 'Welcome to The 2010 Ryder Cup' training.  All you and your participating staff then need to do is attend on the agreed date'