Carousel Buses is among operators marking International Women’s Day on 8 March.
The Buckinghamshire-based business has showcased its all-female leadership team: Rachel Perkins, Operations Manager; Sally Roycroft, Assistant Operations Manager and Debbie-Ann Smith, Operations and Commercial Assistant.
With more than 30 years of combined experience between them, the trio lead the team of 200 employees below Managing Director Luke Marion.
Ms Perkins, who progressed through parent company Go-Ahead Group’s graduate scheme, says: “It’s a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same and I’m pleased to be part of Carousel’s growth plans.
“As well as providing our usual high standards of service to customers, ensuring each of our departments are supported to deliver a slick operation behind the scenes is just as important, particularly as we expand our network.
“I think it can be easy for people to stereotype the bus industry as a male-dominated sector where I’ve found it is the exact opposite.”
Ms Roycroft, who transferred from sister company Oxford Bus Company after 10 years’ service as a driver and in the control room, adds: “People stereotype the bus sector as being male-dominated, but that’s far from the reality in my experience.
“We have a growing number of female drivers and behind the scenes many women play a crucial role in keeping our roads moving.
“The bus sector is a great environment for women to enjoy a varied and rewarding career.”
Ms Smith, who has more than 15 years of experience in the bus industry, having held operations roles in London, says: “Working in the bus industry is fantastic and I’ve enjoyed so much career progression.
“There are so many career options for women to explore and the work assigned can make a genuine positive difference to people’s lives.”
Mr Marion says: “We’re proud to have an all-female leadership team at Carousel Buses and their career progression is a shining example of the opportunities that are available for women in the bus sector.
“International Women’s Day is a fantastic chance to celebrate the huge contribution females make in society.
“One of our core values is embracing diversity and we strive to ensure our workforce reflect the diversity of our passengers and communities. We hope our team’s experiences will serve to inspire more females to join the industry.”
Meanwhile, Stagecoach East has also marked the occasion by releasing a video (see below) promoting the role of seven key women in the business.
Featuring in the video which marks the crucial roles women play in keeping buses moving in Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire are: Hema Russell, Operations Manager; Lisa Lowther, Driver; Dani Bruno, Controller; Sylwia Bajon, Presentation Team Leader; Tamara Beales, Payroll Clerk; Amber Olney, Marketing Manager; and Maria Gorgan, Engineering Apprentice.
Darren Roe, Managing Director of Stagecoach East, says: “All these amazing women – along with many more – play an essential part in making sure that our local buses can get our loyal customers where they want to go, with the right quality of service that they deserve.
“So, the video is a wonderful opportunity to highlight their value to the entire operation.”
Stagecoach South has showcased the journey of its Women’s Lead, Coral Barnett.
The driver initially took on the role of mentor before two years ago stepping up to be an advocate for women in the company.
Ms Barnett, who is mother to three children, praises Stagecoach for its efforts to foster inclusion.
“The level Stagecoach has gone to in encouraging women and accelerating action is phenomenal,” she says.
Oxford Bus Group welcomed its first all-women cohort of trainee bus drivers this week, representing a first for the Go-Ahead subsidiary.
The parent company’s driver workforce is 90% men, reflecting the ratio across the industry, but it has set a target to increase diversity.
Sarah Powell, Relief Instructor at Oxford Bus Group, who leads the induction process, says: “Already, the group has expressed how they feel more inclined to ask key questions by being part of an all-female group which will help them develop key skills attached to the role of being a driver quicker.
“Breaking down these barriers and empowering more women in our industry to thrive is a positive step forward.
“All bus drivers are providing an essential service to our communities, without which people would struggle to fulfil their day-to-day responsibilities.
“It’s an immensely rewarding role, and we are definitely seeing more women take to the roads and help keep our services moving.”
