To mark this year’s International Women’s Day, local bus operator Transdev is working hard to change the face of public transport and the transport industry more broadly, it reports.
In the past four years the company has recruited 76 female bus drivers and five female maintenance staff, it confirms.
Recently it launched its Women in Transport initiative with a goal to, “… make a 100 per cent improvement to their current female recruitment figures in 12 months.”
At its Bankstown Depot event, managing director Robert Macey announced the initiative.
“We want to remove the barriers and make a career in public transport more accessible for women,” he said.
“We are working to create mum-friendly driver and workshop rosters to provide greater flexibility and working with councils to improve on-the-road amenities for women.
“We are also establishing mentor groups and expanding our community engagement to partner with local women’s charities to support them as and where possible,” he added.
THAT’S A WRAP!
East Hills MP Wendy Lindsay and Canterbury Bankstown Mayor Councillor Khal Asfour were also in attendance to support the announcement.
To mark the occasion and promote its female recruitment efforts, one of Transdev’s coaches was wrapped in purple and features two female employees, bus driver Fenella Davidson and mechanic Callie Milne.
While public transport is traditionally a male-dominated industry, Transdev is doing its bit to encourage more women to join their ranks in all roles, it states.
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PROUD WOMEN
New bus driver Davidson made a career change last year and hasn’t looked back, she says.
“When I started training there was another female in the group and we really leaned on each other, which was super helpful. For the whole journey so far the men have been really great. They’re always there to offer advice and the management team have been awesome” she said.
Four years ago, apprentice mechanic Milne swapped her nursing scrubs for overalls to fulfil her lifelong dream to become a mechanic.
“The workshop is a very male-dominated space, but I know I am treated as an equal by my colleagues. I feel so lucky to be doing a job that I love and hope that other young women consider a career in this field,” she said.
Both women are proud to promote their careers within public transport and be part of the changing face at Transdev, the company says.
ABOUT TRANSDEV
Transdev says it believes public transport plays an important part in how a city comes to life. Its day-to-day work influences families, friends and future generations where they live, work and play, it explains.
In Australasia, Transdev has 5,704 people passionate about operating its 2,150 vehicles and vessels, which deliver more than 145 million customer journeys each year.
Photography: courtesy Transdev Melbourne