The Blue Plaque Initiative
We launched the Women in Bus and Coach Blue Plaque Scheme in October 2024 to honour the remarkable women who have shaped the bus, coach, and community transport sectors.
These plaques celebrate pioneers—drivers, engineers, leaders, and advocates—who broke barriers, challenged expectations, and opened doors for future generations.
Each plaque is more than a marker; it’s a symbol of recognition and remembrance. By highlighting these women’s stories in the very places they lived or worked, we aim to inspire others and preserve their legacy for years to come.
Why Blue Plaques?
We use commemorative plaques as a powerful way to recognise and showcase the women who drive the bus, coach, and community transport sector forward. These are the women who lead change—often without fanfare—by breaking ground and challenging expectations.
By placing plaques at meaningful locations, we shine a light on their achievements, ensuring they are seen, celebrated, and remembered. Each plaque honours not only an individual but the wider progress made possible by the contributions of women across the sector.
What the Plaques Represent
Each plaque symbolises more than personal success. It reflects the struggles, resilience, and determination of all women who have faced barriers in the sector.
Whether by challenging outdated norms, advocating for safer, more inclusive workplaces, or quietly shaping policy and service delivery, these women have helped move the industry forward.
Their stories remind us that progress is possible—and that every step forward is built on the courage of those who came before.
Growing the Scheme
The Women in Bus and Coach Blue Plaque Scheme is designed to grow year by year.
With input from across the industry, we aim to identify and honour women from all parts of the UK and Ireland, in every role—from pioneers in engineering to unsung community champions.
Our goal is to ensure that every part of the sector sees itself reflected in the scheme.
We welcome nominations from all regions and backgrounds. If you know someone whose story deserves to be told, we encourage you to get involved.
Honourees to Date
Jill Viner
In 1974, Jill Viner made history as the first woman to drive a London bus in passenger service. Her achievement came at a time when the industry was overwhelmingly male-dominated and opportunities for women were limited. Jill’s courage and determination opened the door for thousands of women who followed in her footsteps. Her plaque stands as a tribute to her role in transforming perceptions and challenging long-standing gender barriers in public transport.
Mary Curry
A respected and much-loved driver for Hants & Dorset, Mary Curry was one of the earliest female bus drivers in the region. Known for her professionalism and warmth, Mary was more than just a driver—she was a familiar face in her community and a role model for women considering careers in transport. Her plaque was unveiled in Winchester in October 2024, close to the depot where she worked, and in front of colleagues, friends, and family who celebrated her legacy.
Maxine Duffus
A champion of community transport and inclusive travel, Maxine Duffus has dedicated her career to ensuring accessible services for those who need them most. Through her work in community transport initiatives and her tireless advocacy for underrepresented groups, Maxine has improved mobility and independence for countless individuals. Her plaque recognises not just her professional achievements, but her deep personal commitment to fairness, access, and dignity in transport.
Nominate a Trailblazer
Do you know a woman whose contribution to the bus, coach, or community transport sector deserves lasting recognition?
We are now accepting nominations for future Blue Plaques. Whether she was a quiet changemaker or a vocal trailblazer, we want to hear her story.
Please review the Eligibility Criteria below, then complete the nomination form to put someone forward for this honour.
Eligibility Criteria for Women in Bus and Coach Blue Plaques
To be considered for a Women in Bus and Coach (WiBC) Blue Plaque, nominees must meet at least one of the following five criteria:
- Pioneering Role. The nominee must have been the first or among the first women to break barriers in the bus, coach, or community transport sector. This includes trailblazers such as the first female drivers, engineers, managers, or those in other notable leadership positions.
- Long-Term Impact. The nominee must have made a lasting and significant contribution to the industry—through innovation, advocacy, or policy changes that improved working conditions or opportunities for women and the workforce.
- Champion of Inclusion & Diversity. The nominee should have actively supported or contributed to greater gender diversity and inclusivity in the bus, coach or community transport, paving the way for future generations of women.
- Historical & Legacy Value. The nominee must have historical significance, with a story that deserves to be recognised and preserved for future generations.
- Community Influence. The nominee may have shaped public perception of women in bus, coach, or community transport, improved passenger experiences, or made a meaningful impact in community transport and accessibility.
Nominations
Who Can Be Nominated?
- Nominees must be women or identify as women.
- They must have worked in, currently work in, or be closely associated with the bus, coach, or community transport sector.
How to Nominate
Nominations must be submitted via the dedicated Blue Plaque form below.
Each nomination must be supported by:
A nominator and a seconder, both of whom either currently work or have worked, or be associated with the bus, coach or community transport sector.
OR
A Women in Bus and Coach Board Member or Regional Lead.
