Bishkek city authorities have decided to install GPS navigation systems on refuse trucks in one of the districts of the capital. As 24.kg informs, this pilot project is being implemented for controlling the routes of refuse trucks and their schedules, and preventing the theft of gasoline by drivers. A representative of the city administration says the costs will be recovered in six months period. However, drivers got very upset with these new navigation systems and named them “bugs” and started turning them off, continues 24.kg. Now drivers agree to work using new systems and that all their road movements will be tracked and stored in database.

This seems to be a smart decision at first glance, using hi-tech for optimization of city costs. But I think these measures can bring results only for short-term period. In long-term, city employers should think more of motivation and retention of their personnel rather than being smart on controlling measures. GPS systems will not resolve the reasons of fuel theft and other issues. At the same time drivers will be looking for other ways of making extra money and/or they will be leaving their jobs.