The Victorian government has developed a program to encourage more women to join the state’s public transport network in an effort to boost the number of female bus drivers in a traditionally male-dominated profession.

With an investment of $550,000, the Bus Driver Training Program will support the training and licensing of more than 300 new female drivers over the next three years.

Under the scheme, a $7,500 scholarship will also be offered to 20 women over three years to fund bus mechanic apprenticeships.

The program will be delivered through three of Victoria’s largest bus operators – Kinetic, Ventura, and CDC Victoria.

With the public transport sector typically employing men in technical, operational and leadership roles, community engagement coordinator Swella Fernandes told Government News CDC Victoria is hoping to redress that imbalance.

“CDC Victoria has identified a deficiency in our own gender diversity with only 5% of our driver resource group identifying as female or someone of diverse gender identity,” she said. “As such, we are seeking women to join us in a new career as bus drivers.”

Victorian public transport minister Gabrielle Williams agrees women are under-represented in the transport industry and said the government is acting to change the culture in the sector. “We’re helping to overcome barriers and encourage more women to embark on a career in transport.”

Among the barriers preventing women from joining the bus industry:

• availability for rotating shift rosters to accommodate female employees caring for young children or other family members
• perceived risks around interacting with the public in an isolated environment
• financial circumstances limiting their ability to obtain the relevant licenses
• low levels of confidence in technical abilities to obtain the required license.

CDC Victoria will receive funding to provide heavy vehicle licence training to women drawn to a career on the buses, Fernandez said. “We aim to onboard a minimum of three women – or people with diverse gender identities – every quarter.”

To support new recruits, CDC Victoria has established a network of female staff across the company who meet quarterly to discuss issues relevant to women working at CDC.  

“We plan to steer cultural change and involve driver mentors, where possible, to facilitate a smooth onboarding experience and provide networking opportunities,” Fernandes said. 

Some of the initiatives so far have included adjusting and expanding the range of uniforms on offer for women, and providing free sanitary products in the women’s bathrooms at depots.

Fernandes told GN: “We are committed to developing a diverse and inclusive workforce and would like to attract, develop, and retain more women in the passenger transport industry. “

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