News

Mayor Tracy Brabin joined guests at Stourton Park and Ride in Leeds on Monday 24th March to officially launch the Northern region of WiBC. Mayor Brabin, a long-time advocate for equality and diversity, was also named a Women in Bus and Coach Ambassador in recognition of her unwavering commitment to championing inclusivity in public services and transport. Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said: “This is a huge step forward to encourage more women into the bus, coach and community transport industry. “Having a diverse workforce is vital to ensuring we reflect the varied needs of people who rely on ...

Women in Bus and Coach are proud to sponsor a place on the Women in Transport LEAD Programme for Spring 2025 through our bursary scheme. This initiative provides a unique opportunity for a woman working in bus, coach or community transport to gain invaluable professional development at senior level. About the Bursary This bursary is designed to support women groups who face barriers to accessing funding, particularly those who are self-employed, working in SMEs, charities, or non-profits. The programme is most beneficial for those who can apply the learning directly in their current role, helping to foster career progression and leadership ...

Women in Bus and Coach (WiBC) is delighted to announce the appointment of Victoria Armstrong and Laura Hadzik to its Board of Directors. Their extensive experience and deep commitment to the transport sector will further strengthen WiBC’s mission to champion and support women within the industry. Victoria Armstrong is the Chief Executive of the Community Transport Association (CTA), where she leads efforts to provide accessible, community-led transport solutions that address unmet mobility needs. With a background in disability advocacy, legal expertise, and applied social sciences, Victoria brings a strong foundation in equality, diversity, and inclusion—values that align seamlessly with WiBC’s ...

Join us for an inspiring networking event hosted by Women in Bus and Coach at TRL’s groundbreaking Smart Mobility Living Lab in Woolwich (2-minute walk from the Woolwich Elizabeth line station). This event is designed to bring together professionals across the bus, coach and community transport industry, and parallel sectors to foster connections, celebrate mentorship, and explore innovative approaches to shaping the future of transport. As we mark National Mentoring Month, we’ll spotlight the transformative power of mentorship in career development and the role it plays in building an inclusive, forward-thinking transport industry. What to Expect: Insightful Talks: Hear from ...

Women in Bus and Coach is proud to announce the launch of its Ambassador Programme, a new initiative celebrating individuals who have made exceptional contributions to advancing gender equity and inclusivity within the Bus, Coach and Community Transport industry. The inaugural Ambassador recognition was awarded to Anne Marie Purcell, Chief Transformation Officer for Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), in honour of her unwavering commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for women in the sector. The announcement was made at the Women in Bus and Coach parliamentary reception, held on Monday 16th December. The event highlighted the progress Women ...

Visitors to Kingston’s newly refurbished Cromwell Road bus station can now see a permanent plaque honouring Jill Viner, London’s first woman bus driver. This tribute celebrates Viner’s pioneering role in the transport industry and her contributions to breaking barriers for women in the field. Jill Viner made history in May 1974 as the first woman to drive a London bus licensed to carry passengers. She achieved ‘driver seniority’ on 25 May 1974 after formally qualifying as a driver, paving the way for women to professionally operate passenger buses. Based at the Norbiton bus garage—now no longer in existence—she regularly drove ...