The Women in Bus and Coach “Spotlight On” initiative shines a light on the incredible contributions of women in all roles across the bus, coach, and community transport sector. From professional drivers and engineers to human resources experts and CEO’s, ‘Spotlight On’ will highlight the diverse talents and achievements of women in this dynamic industry.
Today we focus on and find out about:
Dawn Boyd
Bus Driver
Ipswich Buses
How did you get to where you are today?
After nearly 4 years in Bus and Coaches, I have gathered experience across East Anglia. I passed my test in April 2022 in Dereham, Norfolk, I soon after volunteered for secondment in Clacton, taking myself to areas I have never even visited let alone driven a bus in. I worked in various roles across Go East-Anglia, including a role as service controller and manning the running times, live, across the entire operation. I crafted new procedures to tackle early running head on. Following this spell, I was a supervisor at Galloway European and driving across the country for ITFC as well as National Express services. Then moving back to buses for Ipswich buses and driving country routes around the network.
Did you experience any challenges getting to where you are today?
I moved quite quickly and despite my lack of experience, I brought in my academic knowledge and it caused issues trying to balance relationships with the drivers who were friends approaching me differently as I took on an office role. I have also been working part time on a degree and this has presented the challenge of time management on occasion, after long days.
If so, how did you overcome them?
It was about transparancy and communication, working with those drivers to listen to them for their input, making it more inclusive for them.
What do you like about the bus, coach or community transport sector?
The opportunities available. Taking part in events builds up new knowledge and possibilities all across the country.
What does a typical day look like?
I would sign in at approximately 6am, I then print out my duty for the day which shows me my bus allocation and running board, break times and official sign off time.
Some of our trips can have us on our bus for 1 hour and 30 minutes just one way, so I always make sure to use the facilities before making my way through the shed to find my bus and complete my defect sheet. We are still analogue so its pen and paper which I love.
Typically, after sign on, we start our dead run to start a trip about 15 minutes after sign on. As a rural driver, we serve away from the main hub in Ipswich so we have to balance needs a bit more, but we are usually on duty 12-13 hours a day, Monday to Saturday.
Sign off can be anywhere from 15:00 which our earliest finish to 20:05 which us our latest finish. And we have our breaks where we make our way to the main hub canteen.
What advice would you give to women thinking about a career in the bus, coach or community transport sector?
It’s an opportunity but being honest, it is hard work but equally rewarding. I was always told whilst training that the job is only as hard as you make it and sometimes its hard to leave some of the harder days at work. But its a balance that can work for you if you work with it.
What has been your bus, coach or community transport sector career highlight?
I loved doing the New Year National Express 250 Heathrow to Ipswich Service, via Stansted. I was on the road when it hit midnight in 2024 but I wouldnt change it. I had the pride of my badge, my coach and I got to welcome those handful of individuals into the New Year with a smile and cheerful message over the tannoy, hopefully starting the New Year.
I equally was prideful in doing the away coaches for ITFC and travelling the length and width of the UK. I have also attended three Woodfines conferences for logistics and transport in Duxford where I had the immense privilige of meeting the Senior Traffic Commissioner, Richard Turfitt OBE.
What three things could the bus, coach or community transport sector do to improve the industry for women?
In line with the period positivity movement, there needs to be better facilities to help women at their time of the month. Not just for women but there needs to be better protection for ALL drivers. Where I work has seen an increase in assaults, verbal and physical, that companies and government need to support drivers who are victims of those circumstances. The government also needs to step in with pay. Some drivers are still being paid pittance and having to work themselves ill just to make ends meet.
What changes have you seen since in the sector since you joined?
There have been fantastic improvements in CPC, but the more flexible CPC institutions need to have more PCV/PSV based as they still seem to be freight and lorry based still with little knowledge for bus and coaches.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?
I would like to have a commercial role in my local area, working in the company I am in but working with community groups to reintegrate better public transport facilities and connections to boost the numbers using public transport.
Anything else you would like to share?
Its important that there are forums for people to be listened to. If they have driven for 40+ years, with little input in the background. But equally, companies should be run on a basis of not forgetting your routes. More and more managers are unfortunately creating animosity by separating themselves from their drivers, and putting their role above the companies. Everyone needs to be a team player and managers shouldn’t be of the understanding that they are better than drivers, nor should drivers not believe that managers are out of touch. Everyone needs to be sympathetic to the game, open to communication whether thats talking or listening.
Thank you for sharing Dawn, your story truly makes a difference.
To find out more about who Dawn works for, and career opportunities visit: https://ipswichbuses.co.uk/careers/
