Seminar addresses gender imbalance, ethnicity and women in transport

Sonya Veerasamy wants more young girls to consider a career in the coach and bus industry

Women in transport, and diversity within the workplace, were the topics in The Theatre addressed by Sonya Veerasamy, CEO, Women in Transport, and Martin Harris, MD of Brighton and Hove Buses and Metrobus.

Ms Veerasamy wants more young girls to consider being a bus driver as a career.

She says, “Across transport in general, people don’t see it as an attractive place to work.

“A report done earlier this year for International Women’s Day commissioned by FirstGroup showed that a quarter of women are put off by ‘men only’ careers.

“There’s a perception that careers aren’t accessible to them.”

Diversity is an essential ingredient in improving business performance and Mr Harris says the industry needs diverse talent and views that reflect the society in which it operates.

“We need to address gender imbalance,” he says. “We must make sure we have a culture that is diverse and inclusive.

“In Brighton the trans population feel that they have a lot of challenges that they’re up against, especially in the workplace, so it’s important we get involved in making things happen for them.

“Two words sum it up. It’s about respect and humanity in the workplace.”