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:
Darina Hatagan
iBus controller
Go Ahead London
How did you get to where you are today?
After finishing university in a domain I did not enjoy, I kept myself open to new opportunities and experiences. I followed my dad’s advice, who always told me ‘There is no thing you cannot do, just things you do not want to work towards’.
Did you experience any challenges getting to where you are today?
The only challenge I encountered was other people not believing in me. When I applied for the controller role, other colleagues were telling me only bad things about the job and that I did not have enough experience, as I was only a driver for about 5/6 weeks.
If so, how did you overcome then?
I just reminded myself about my main goal which is to be happy. I enjoyed being a bus driver but wanted to push myself more as the bus controller role seemed really interesting to me. Also, after that encounter I wanted to prove them wrong and show that you can do anything you want if you are determined enough.
What do you like about the sector?
One of my favourite things is that no day is the same. You deal with different drivers, routes and traffic everyday, so you have to always keep your mind going and adjust to every situation. It is also a sector where you work directly with people and you get to learn new things from their personal experiences.
What does a typical day look like?
As I said before, no day is the same, but it all comes down to the same basics. Keeping in touch with drivers to ensure a good service, but also help them if they encounter any difficult situations. You are their first point of contact, so your decision can make a big difference in how a situation turns out.
It can get stressful at times, when there are a lot of things going on, such as diversion and break down, but it is all about how you handle it. Advance planning and good communication are the key to making your day easier.
What advice would you give to women thinking about a career in the bus and coach sector?
Go for it! Most importantly, believe in yourself and do not take any notice of people trying to drag you down. Also, do not give up if you face any difficulties, even some of the best drivers passed their driving tests on the second or third time.
What has been your bus or coach sector career highlight?
It must be how quickly I managed to advance in the industry. I was a new driver and on the road for only about 5/6 weeks, but I was determined to go further.
I applied for the bus controller job and got offered the role, which proved that there are many opportunities to progress, even if you are still early in your driving career or really young.
Thank you for sharing your story Darina you are truly an inspiration!
To find out more about who Justine works for, and career opportunities visit: https://www.goaheadlondon.com/careers
