Private hire firm Addison Lee is investing £7.5m in driver training to improve driver skills and the customer experience.

Addison Lee’s £7.5m spend will improve driver skills and customer experience

The five-year programme will support TfL’s efforts to improve standards across the industry and will focus on driver skills as well as working with Addison Lee’s latest technology and areas such as cycle safety and diversity.

The announcement comes a fortnight after the firm revealed a £17m investment in 550 new Ford Galaxy people carriers s it looks to target Uber’s growing stronghold in the UK.

Andy Boland, CEO at Addison Lee said: “We care about our customers’ journeys as much as they do, and this new investment will ensure our drivers can continue to go the extra mile to provide the service our customers expect.”

Current training includes modules on equality and diversity, cycle safety, disabled access and on working with the latest technology installed in the vehicles. Investment will also include a 2017 move of the training headquarters to a new bespoke training school in Hayes, West London, equipped with the latest in learning technology and support for increased e-learning.

He added: “No other business is investing on this scale to train its drivers. Our training allows our drivers to not only improve their service but also make best use of the latest technology in our cars.

“Our commitment to raising the bar extends not only to remaining at the forefront of training for our drivers but also supporting the efforts of TfL to do the same across the industry.”