Oxford Bus welcomes first all-female trainee cohort

Oxford Bus Group welcomed its first all-female cohort of trainee bus drivers this week, marking a milestone moment in its 140-year history.

It is the first time the bus group’s intake of trainee bus drivers has been exclusively all women.

It forms part of a vision by Oxford Bus Group’s parent company, the Go-Ahead Group, to achieve greater gender diversity among its drivers by 2035.

“Already, the group has expressed how they feel more inclined to ask key questions by being part of an all-female group” – Sarah Powell, Relief Instructor at Oxford Bus Group

Sarah Powell, Relief Instructor at Oxford Bus Group, leads the induction process and reported positive feedback from this week’s first all-female trainee cohort. She said: “Almost 90% of bus drivers in our team are male and we want to ensure all new drivers on our team feel comfortable and supported through their induction. We’re pleased to launch our first all-female cohort.

“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.”