Women in Bus and Coach (WiBC) has honoured a further industry trailblazer with the unveiling of two blue plaques in honour of Helen Clifford (pictured, centre), the first female bus mechanic to qualify with London Transport.
That occurred in 1984, when she was 18. She passed out at the old West Ham bus depot. WiBC says that marked a pivotal moment in the journey towards greater inclusion and representation for women in the transport industry. Ms Clifford later became a driver and continues in that role for Stagecoach in Perth.
One of the plaques is at Stratford bus interchange, the closest such site to the old West Ham garage. Alongside Ms Clifford for the ceremony were multiple industry representatives including Transport for London (TfL) Commissioner Andy Lord (pictured, left).
The other plaque is mounted at the London Transport Museum. It was part of a WiBC event there in early May to celebrate women’s contributions to the sector. At the Covent Garden site, Ms Clifford’s plaque sits alongside one unveiled around a year ago to mark the capital’s first female bus driver, Jill Viner.
Speaking about the recognition, Ms Clifford says: “It is incredibly special to be recognised in this way, and to share the moment with my family makes it even more meaningful.
“When I started out, I simply wanted to do a job I loved, but I am proud to know that it helped to challenge perceptions and create opportunities for other. Seeing how far the industry has come since then is truly rewarding, and I hope my story encourages more women to consider a career in transport.”
Adds TfL Director of Engineering Isabel Coman: “By honouring Helen Clifford with a blue plaque, we are recognising not only her remarkable achievement as the first woman bus mechanic, but also the many women whose contributions were too often overlooked.
“I hope this stands as a powerful symbol of progress, visibility and the importance of recognising women who changed the course of their industries.”
