West Australian TNT driver Melvin Carpenter is the first Australian to make the world final of the TNT ‘Drive Me’ challenge
September 14, 2010
West Australian TNT driver Melvin Carpenter is the first Australian to make the world final of the TNT ‘Drive Me’ challenge.
Carpenter, from the Perth suburb of Heathridge, defeated six other drivers to win the Australian final, qualifying him for a place in the global finale.
The Drive Me challenge tests Pick Up and Delivery (PUD) drivers on their driving accuracy and customer service.
This is the first year that TNT Australia has participated in the global event, with approximately 200 local drivers entering the challenge this year.
TNT Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands managing director Bob Black says the Drive Me challenge reinforces TNT’s core business values and its ‘sure we can’ attitude.
“The Drive Me challenge engages TNT drivers around the world each year and assesses fuel efficiency, safe driving and customer service skills,” Black says.
“Encouraging the right driver behaviour can significantly reduce CO2 emissions by consuming less fuel.
“We can also greatly reduce road traffic accidents while providing an excellent customer experience.
“We were extremely impressed by the level of skill and commitment to customer service that our drivers have shown during the Drive Me challenge.”
For his part, Carpenter says his win in the Australian took him ‘completely by surprise’, but he is looking forward to travelling to Amsterdam for the October 6 final, just as soon as he gets a passport.
“None of this has sunk in yet. I am so proud to have the opportunity to represent Australia,” Carpenter says.
“I can’t wait to go to Amsterdam, but I don’t even have a passport. That’s one of the first things I am going to have to organise.”