One of the things that I have struggled with in my career is just why the UK bus and coach industry has failed to engage more women to join the profession, which is ironic given that the majority of passengers on Britain’s buses and coaches are indeed women. It begs the question: just why is this the case? What is it that prevents more women from seeking to become professional drivers, engineers, and managers? I have witnessed and, throughout my career, tried hard to implement projects and plans to encourage more women to join the industry, and for some reason, the ratios of women to men are nowhere near where they should be. Just what is it about the culture of the bus and coach industry that puts women off signing up as professional drivers or employees?
I have been reflecting on the persistent challenge of why the industry has struggled to attract and retain more women. Could it be due to lingering perceptions of a male-dominated environment where inappropriate behaviour and misconduct are overlooked? In my view, this perception no longer reflects the reality of the industry in 2025. I have observed significant cultural shifts within the bus and coach sector, as organisations and individuals work to foster a professional environment that prioritises inclusivity and respect for all, regardless of gender, ethnicity, faith, or other factors. This progress aligns with the diversity of the communities we serve and underscores the importance of creating a workplace culture that reflects those values.
Some companies have worked hard to enable more female members of staff. The Go-Ahead Group, in particular, has been very proactive in trying to encourage more women employees and has achieved success in redressing the balance. Initiatives like encouraging variable shift patterns to allow for collecting children from school have helped encourage more women. In addition, making sure that there are good, clean facilities such as lavatories and showers is also helpful. Furthermore, more organisations are encouraging women. One that stands out is Women in Bus and Coach, which aims to create a national network to encourage, support, and retain women in the bus, coach, and community transport profession.
More than half of UK bus users are women, but they only make up less than 10% of the workforce. The initiative, which is made up of industry leaders, will provide a collaborative platform to share expertise. It will also help to develop solutions to make careers more attractive to women of all ages, backgrounds, and ethnicities. Supported by the biggest bus groups and industry suppliers such as Arriva, the Go-Ahead Group, Stagecoach, First Bus, National Express, McGill’s, TfL, Volvo, Wrightbus, Lothian, Uno, etc., the list is both long and impressive. They offer a compelling membership package, and I would urge anyone who is committed to changing the gender imbalance to check out their website. It is an excellent force for good that the industry needs to embrace and support, and I will certainly make sure that the Bus and Coach Forum of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, which I presently chair, promotes this excellent organisation.
Written by Austin Birks
