Driving Change: Women Behind the Wheel

Driving Change: Women Behind the Wheel

On International Women’s Day 2024, we launched our Women in Bus recruitment campaign, encouraging women to join the bus industry as a driver.

Since our launch one year ago, we have had 21 incredible women join our team across Plymouth, Cornwall and Exeter.

To mark this years' International Women's Day, we have chatted to our fabulous women drivers to find out why they joined our company, and to get some insights into how their first year has gone.

For Laura Parrish, a driver from Plymouth Citybus, the recruitment campaign was a turning point. “I applied last April after seeing the campaign to employ more female drivers. I love that no two days are the same, and it’s so rewarding to get passengers where they need to be.”

Heather Muir-Sage, a driver of 41 years and now based with Go Cornwall Bus, has seen the industry evolve. “Go-Ahead has been the closest I’ve seen to the old days when it comes to ethics and workplace culture.”

Jenna Vineall Young, who is a driver with Go Cornwall Bus was inspired by the friendly drivers she saw in Newquay. “I applied after seeing an advert, and I’ve never looked back. I love the customer service aspect—seeing the people who rely on the service and putting a smile on their faces. The training was excellent, and the support from colleagues made all the difference.”

For Karen Lanyon, another one of our fab Go Cornwall Bus drivers said, bus driving was a bold career switch after 30 years in an office. “I kept seeing the ads on the back of buses and decided on a whim to apply. The best part? The team spirit and the simple joy of driving a bus for a living! I’ve learned so much—no two days are ever the same.”

Go Cornwall Bus driver Libby Martin’s story is particularly powerful. “My previous job drove me to deep depression, but I found the strength to apply. From day one, I was welcomed and accepted. It’s the first job I’ve ever wanted to progress in, and I love that I can finally be myself.”

Lia Lacey, who joined Dartline Coaches after learning about the campaign, values the supportive culture. “The atmosphere here is nothing like I’ve experienced before. I feel understood, and I love showing my daughter that anything is possible with the right attitude.”

This campaign is about more than recruitment—it’s about breaking barriers. “It’s important to have female bus drivers,” says Laura, “because it shows the next generation that any job can be for a woman.”

Our recruitment campaign has been a real success and we are so excited to see more women join our forces either as a bus driver or within one of our many departments across our company, Go South West really is a fabulous place to work.

With 21 new women behind the wheel, this initiative is driving real change. To any woman considering a new career path, take it from these drivers: the seat is yours for the taking.

You can find out more about becoming a bus driver, by clicking here: Careers with Go South West - Plymouth Bus for Plymouth or here: Go Cornwall Bus - Plymouth Bus for Cornwall.

For Dartline, please click here: News & Jobs - Dartline Coaches