Author: Metroline Comms

• Metroline expands outside of London and formally began operation of Bee Network services in Greater Manchester on 5
• Brand new buses are now on the city’s roads, serving areas such as Hyde, Salford Quays, Stockport and Manchester City Centre.

 Leading bus operator Metroline, a member of multi-modal transport operator ComfortDelGro, has commenced operation of 232 bus services in Greater Manchester as part of the Bee Network.

Metroline enters Greater Manchester having already been well established as one of the largest scheduled bus operators in London, operating about 17 percent of the city’s scheduled bus services. Transporting over a million passengers daily, Metroline’s expertise in operating a reliable bus service across both busy urban centres and quiet local communities in the capital has been invaluable in building the foundation for a successful operation in Manchester.

The Team at Hyde Road Bus Depot 

After being awarded four franchises by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority in March 2024, the team led by Regional CEO Patrick Sibley has been working tirelessly to prepare for operation in Manchester. A training school was quickly established at Wythenshawe depot, to begin cultivating a team of highly trained bus drivers who are safety-focussed, friendly and confident on the roads. Supported by an experienced team of driver trainers, over 100 drivers have successfully passed through training as of January 2025.

Numerous new jobs in Manchester have been created as a result of Metroline’s entry into the Bee Network, and the company expects to continue to become a key employer in the local community. A locally based management team comprised of talented individuals with experience from across the bus industry in the North West was also brought together, supplemented with expertise from London and across the global ComfortDelGro group.

In addition to new jobs, Metroline is also bringing new vehicles to Greater Manchester, with a brand new fleet comprised of ADL 200 EMCs, Wright Streetdeck Ultroliners and Volvo/MCV BZLs, which drivers have been undergoing extensive type training on. Metroline also seeks to replicate its strong green credentials in Manchester, with the adoption of electric vehicles. A pioneer of zero-emission vehicles in London, Metroline is in the process of implementing infrastructure that will allow for as many as 134 new electric vehicles to join its Manchester fleet in the coming months.

Speaking about commencing operation on the Bee Network, Patrick Sibley, Regional CEO for Metroline, said: “We are delighted to formally enter operation on the Bee Network, and serve the people of Greater Manchester. It has taken many months of preparation and hard work, but I’m proud of the team that we’ve brought together and the operation that we’ve been able to build in anticipation of this point.

“From highly trained professional drivers to brand new buses, we want to give local communities the best journeys possible when travelling on our services. We look forward to continuing our close working relationship with Transport for Greater Manchester as we enter operation, and are determined to deliver an outstanding transport experience for our customers on the Bee Network.”

With the commencement of its operations in Greater Manchester, Metroline now manages over 300 routes, operating more than 1,700 vehicles supported by nearly 6,000 employees in the UK.

Edward Thomas, Chief Executive Officer, Europe Business Unit, ComfortDelGro said: “The successful launch of bus operations in Manchester is a significant milestone for Metroline as we expand out of London. Our strong track record in London and now in Manchester positions Metroline as the partner of choice for future bus franchises in the UK. We look forward to bringing innovative mobility solutions for safe, reliable journeys to communities across the UK.”

November saw us bring award success home, with Willesden Junction driver Mirela Mandzhukova at the heart of that success. She is one of Willesden Junction’s most outstanding drivers, known to her colleagues as a pleasant and calm person, who is always smiling. At the RouteOne Awards, hosted in Birmingham on 13th November, Mirela was Highly Commended by the judges for providing an Outstanding Customer Experience. There was further success at the UK Bus Awards on 26th Novmeber, where Mirela received the Silver Award for the Luke Rees-Pulley Award for Top London Bus Driver.

Joining Metroline in 2018, Mirela wanted to find a job that combined her two favourite things; driving and working with passengers. It also helps coming from a family of drivers, with both her parents being professional drivers, Mirela jokes that “maybe it’s in my blood”.

Being recognised for excellent Customer Experience comes as no surprise, as Mirela describes the most enjoyable part of being a bus driver as the ability to help people: “I enjoy meeting many different people, understanding them and helping the customers in need. Sometimes you get passengers who are lost and don’t know how to get from point A to point B, and it really makes me happy to help them.” No wonder she has an abundance of commendations from passengers wanting to relay their feedback: “A thank you to the bus driver – she welcomed and smiled at every single passenger getting on the bus! A lovely start to the morning,” said one customer. The most surprising commendation however, came from the manager of another London bus operator who contacted his counterparts at Metroline to praise Mirela’s exemplary customer service, exclaiming “My word gents…where did you recruit this driver from?” The manager praised her friendly and approachable attitude, noting how she “welcomes everyone on board with a huge smile and a good morning. I even got asked how I was.” He also complimented her driving style and added, “I can’t speak highly enough of your driver. What an asset.”

Aside from the challenges of driving in an increasingly congested London, facing the public on a daily basis can also be demanding. Mirela’s advice for how to maintain good customer service even when the public is tricky is to always smile first: “My eyes can kill you” she jests, “but a smile is always on my face.”

Being Mirela’s first awards ceremony, she had no idea what to expect: “Actually, it was my first ever time visiting that kind of award ceremony. It was such a nice experience, I was so excited, everything was new to me.” Speaking on both her wins, Mirela exclaims “I feel very proud of myself.”

Mirela thanks her managers and supervisors for supporting and trusting her “I would especially like to thank my manager Alina Gioroc for acknowledging my effort, and all other valuable staff members, who provided unconditional support to me, and showed so much trust and faith in me.”

 

Also nominated at the UK Bus Awards was Uxbridge Garage, which received the Bronze Award for London Bus Garage of the Year, after continuing to perform strongly in the face of challenging operational conditions.

Speaking about the garage, Garage Manager Stavros Heracleous said, “Our engineers, controllers, drivers, cleaners and office colleagues understand that the customer and the wider community are at the heart of everything we do… Together we are a strong and pro-active team. For us, there is no ‘us and them’, it is all about the customer and the community we serve.”

Metroline is set to host a special recruitment open day, aimed at recruiting women into the bus industry. Supported by the Women in Bus and Coach initiative, the open day will take place on Saturday 21st September at Cricklewood Bus Garage from 9am-3pm.

Women have always had a key role to play in the UK bus industry, however there is still much more to be done to encourage more women to get behind the wheel. Backed by a range of organisations across the UK within the bus and coach industry, the Women in the Bus and Coach initiative is challenging and eliminating barriers currently faced by women in the profession. It will create a more inclusive service that is representative of customers. This change will help to make sure that women have equal access to a career in the industry and a workplace designed around their needs.

We are a proud part of the Women in Bus and Coach programme and are committed to improving the environment for women with several initiatives. From drivers to engineers, iBus supervisors to garage and operations managers, there is a range of exceptional female talent at Metroline, and we would love for more women to join us.

At the open day, you will have the opportunity to speak with our friendly Recruitment Team who will share the many benefits of driving with Metroline. It is also a family friendly event, so please feel free to bring your children along!

If you’re a woman interested in driving buses, come to our recruitment open day on Saturday 21st September -we can’t wait to see you there!

For further information, please e-mail [email protected]

Location: Cricklewood Bus Garage, 329 Edgware Road, Cricklewood, London, NW2 6JP

 

Metroline has partnered with Realise, one of the UK’s leading bus driving training providers, to help attract and train the latest recruits through apprenticeships.

The new drivers will be based out of three of our garages across London – Perivale, Cricklewood and Willesden Junction – with the first apprentices beginning their 13-month training programme in September and being out on the road as a fully-fledged driver just two months after starting the apprenticeship.

Anyone holding a standard UK driving licence for over 12 months is eligible to apply for the apprenticeship by visiting https://www.metroline.co.uk/busdriverapprenticeships/.

The Level 2 apprenticeship will see learners obtain their Passenger Carrying Vehicle Licence, as well as learning the other skills associated with being a professional bus driver, including safety, customer service and route familiarisation.

Kairon Flowers, Operations Director, at Realise, said: “Metroline plays a very significant part in keeping London moving so we are proud and excited to be supporting its venture into apprenticeships for bus drivers.

“We have extensive experience of delivering bus driving training across the country, both through apprenticeships and adult learning. All our trainers have past experience in the industry and know the value of bus services to local communities.

“A modern day bus driver can forge an excellent career in the industry. The apprenticeship can not only provide a route to a new career, but can also leave an individual well placed to earn a promotion in the future.”

Iain Maple, Recruitment Manager from Metroline, said: “We are delighted to be introducing an apprenticeship programme for bus drivers and creating opportunities for people to launch a new career.

“Our comprehensive bus service in London helps keep people in the capital moving so creating a regular flow of new talent, and providing them with apprenticeship and training opportunities, will ensure we can maintain the excellent customer service we are renowned for.

“Realise has a reputation for outstanding training delivery across a number of sectors, including bus driving, and it has a talented and experienced team.

“We are excited about the pilot scheme and the curriculum we are producing in conjunction with Realise and look forward to creating many talented new bus drivers of the future.”

• Newly rebuilt Brentford Bus Garage will house more than 100 buses across 8 routes serving London

• The garage is the result of a c.£19m investment by Metroline and parent company ComfortDelGro

Leading UK Bus Operator Metroline celebrated the opening of its newly rebuilt Brentford Bus Garage in West London. The new facility will be the home to more than 100 buses on 8 critical routes serving customers in some of London’s busiest areas including Piccadilly Circus, Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush.

Built on the site of the old Brentford garage which dated back to the 1960s, the new garage opens as London’s newest and most impressive bus garage. The project has been jointly developed with partners including Waterside Place, McAleer & Rushe, and Gardiner and Theobald, and complements the redevelopment of the wider Brentford Lock West area.

Sitting on around 2.3 acres of land, the new site boasts bright and spacious interiors, providing a comfortable working environment for employees, with modern facilities for our Bus Drivers and Engineers to work and rest.

The new Brentford garage is the result of significant investment by Metroline and its parent company ComfortDelGro, with the whole project costing around £19m and is part of ComfortDelGro’s ongoing growth in the UK and Europe.

Highlighting its importance, the launch of the new Brentford Garage was attended by His Excellency Mr Ng Teck Hean, the High Commissioner for Singapore to the UK and ComfortDelGro’s Chairman Mark Greaves, who opened the garage in a ribbon cutting ceremony. Also in attendance were MD/Group CEO Cheng Siak Kian, ComfortDelGro Europe’s CEO Edward Thomas and Metroline’s CEO Sean O’Shea. Nick Owen, Director of Buses for Transport for London was also present.

ComfortDelGro Europe’s CEO Edward Thomas said “The extensive redevelopment of Brentford Bus Garage demonstrates the importance of Metroline to ComfortDelGro Europe‘s wider operations in the UK and Europe, which continues to grow across a range of transport sectors. By investing in the new garage and our employees, we are building on our successes to ensure we continue to deliver one of the UK’s best bus operations here in London and beyond.”

Speaking about the opening of the garage, Metroline CEO Sean O’Shea said “We are proud to open our new Brentford Bus Garage which provides a vital service to our customers in West London. The rebuilt garage has been modernised on every front and we are excited to provide our employees at Brentford with a new working environment that is at the heart of the redeveloped Brentford Lock community. This is truly a garage fit for the needs and challenges of the 21st century and is in the perfect position to serve as launchpad for London’s busiest routes for many years to come.”

Metroline employees are celebrating award success following a successful night at two major industry awards on 11^th July. At the London Bus Awards, an annual celebration organised by TfL in honour of the London Bus network’s best and brightest, Uxbridge’s Jack Kerner (as featured in the last issue of Your Voice) won the award for Outstanding Newcomer, whilst at the IRTE Skills Challenge Charles John Burrows and Laura Darbon took home the DVSA Inspection Technician Award and DVSA Inspection Apprentice Award respectively.

Jack Kerner is one of Metroline’s youngest new recruits having joined Uxbridge Garage at only age 18 in 2023. Jack has been a hit with the regulars on his route, having received two commendations from delighted customers on his routes. “I just want to say that the driver was so considerate on this bus,” said one happy customer.

Another passenger recalls: “I was shocked at how young the driver of the H13 bus looked. But I want to say how smartly dressed he was. He looks like he took pride in his appearance and his job. It is really nice to see a young man working hard and looking respectable. A great role model to others.”

Comments regarding Jack’s age are no surprise to him as he jokes that he is asked almost every day without fail, ‘are you old enough to drive?’  Uxbridge Operations Manager Susan Adel Villaverde, has only words of praise for him, stating “Jack has excelled, learning all the routes and is extremely helpful in the garage. Jack is very hardworking and has already shown an interest in furthering his career, which I have no doubt he will be successful in.”

Metroline brought a talented team to this year’s IRTE Skills Challenge, made up of Edmund Vaughn, Murat Bargiev, Jonathan Wilson, Ian Schmidt Jr, Eduardo Cretu, Benjamin Bark, Ismaeel Jaffar, and winners Charles Burrows and Laura Darbon. The Challenge saw remarkable displays of expertise and innovation, with participants showcasing their ability to solve complex mechanical issues as well as problem solve. The challenges were tougher than ever, incorporating the latest advancements in vehicle technology and diagnostics.

This is a great result for Charles Burrows, who was a runner up for the DVSA Inspection Apprentice Award in last year’s challenge, and has now won the DVSA Inspection Technician Award. Similarly, it is a significant result for Laura Darbon, who becomes Metroline’s first female recipient of an IRTE Award, as the winner of the DVSA Inspection Apprentice Award.

In addition, Metroline was nominated across three other categories at the London Bus Awards, with Uxbridge driver Harjinder Dhamu nominated for Outstanding Customer Service, Cricklewood mentor Filip Korycinski shortlisted for Safety Champion and Edgware Garage shortlisted in the Best Vehicle Care category, whilst the IRTE Skills Challenge saw two runner ups from Metroline; Ismaeel Jaffar in the Bodywork Apprentice category and Benjamin Bark in the Electric Driveline Apprentice.

Well done to all those who won awards and were shortlisted!

 

As part of Metroline’s Employee Survey campaign, every survey that was completed would result in £1 being donated to a charitable cause. Team Metroline delivered, raising a fantastic amount for those in need.

During our company survey we raised an impressive £2102 for our designated charity, Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice. On 29^th May we were invited to visit their centre in Barnet to see the amazing work they do and the support they provide to children and their families.

Chief Operating Officer, Steve Harris, was accompanied by Potters Bar Garage Manager James Wright, and Potters Bar Driver Vakkas Doldur to take a tour of the facility and learn a bit more about the charity’s work. Based in Barnet, Noah’s Ark provides expert and compassionate palliative care for over 350 children a year who have a life-limiting or life-threatening condition. As James puts it, “The work Noah’s Ark carry out is truly inspiring. The environment they create is one of peace and happiness in a wider context of sadness and grief. The support they provide to children and their families, words cannot describe.”

Reflecting on his visit, Steve Harris noted, “For the families and children supported by Noah’s Ark in Barnet, it’s the little things that make a difference. It was wonderful to be invited to see the centre for ourselves and observe the fantastic staff and facilities supporting so many families, it does indeed bring a lump to your throat.”

Completed in 2019, the charity built the children’s hospice building, The Ark, which is set in a 7.5-acre nature reserve and carefully designed to meet the needs of children at different stages of their lives. “Walking amongst the wild meadow with the various memorials and seeing the many private spaces was truly a memorable experience that I will never forget,” Steve recalls. James echoed those sentiments: “Seeing the facility will be something that I will never forget. The range of activities for families, the picturesque grounds, the staff filled with positive energy and resilience in the face of trauma. The services they provide are wide ranging and are all centric around care and support for children and their families.”

Running the facility is no easy task and costs over £5 million a year to run their services, which is why our donation makes such a difference. We are in communication with the foundation to find further ways we can work with them and build a lasting relationship between Metroline and the Hospice. If you would like to find out more information about the charity or how you can get involved please visit their website at https://www.noahsarkhospice.org.uk/.

The 44^th London Marathon took place on Sunday 21^st April and once again saw over 45,000 people take part in the 26.2 mile-long course around some of the capital’s most famous landmarks. Among the runners this year was Metroline Holloway’s very own Graham Hunter, an Engineer who joined the company 7 years ago.

Graham is no stranger to marathons, he ran the London marathon in 2022, but this marathon had a poignant inspiration. Speaking to Your Voice before the marathon, Graham said “I’m running for Acorns Children’s Hospice in Worcester and a family friend, Jack, who sadly passed away in 2020. He’s sort of the guiding cause behind it.” Acorns Children’s Hospice offer a network of specialist palliative nursing care and support for local children and their families.

Despite his previous experience, no two marathons are the same, and so Graham had been hard at work training.“Plenty of long runs, plenty of eating and I get to go to Seville for a training camp”, he says. Graham’s not alone in his endeavour however, with a big group of his friends all coming together to help, in addition to help from the hospice as well. “They really weren’t surprised, they said it’s pretty you at this point in life!”

Supporting Acorns Children’s Hospice is understandably a cause very close to Graham’s heart. “It’s a very good children’s hospice based in Worcester. [My friend] Jack got life ending support from them, they help throughout all children’s lives, and they really do appreciate any donations you have.”

Despite the sometimes-challenging training regime, Graham hasn’t lost sight of what it’s all for. “It’s just to honour Jack’s name,” he says. “All the training runs have been tough, but I’ve been able to remember that this is for him and dig deep in honour of him and help the hospice as much as we can as they do wonderful things.”

The training has paid off: Graham was able to complete the Marathon in 2:51:47 and has raised £2,321 for Acorns Children’s Hospice.

Service Controller Brothers Matthew Stoker of Potters Bar Garage and George Stoker of Cricklewood garage also took part in this year’s London Marathon, to raise money for Age UK. Age UK provides life-enhancing services and vital support to people in later life, many of whom live alone. With the help of many volunteers, Age UK are able to offer various services to make lives easier and less lonely.

Speaking about their fundraising, George says, “It is an honour to be representing and running for this charity in the London Marathon 2024. It has been a lifetime goal to do this and one to tick off the bucket list.”

“My own experience of seeing this wonderful charity in action was when I was at University and I had a chance to visit an activity centre in Kingston for a project I was working on. I have fond memories of some individuals who had great pleasure in telling me their own stories from their younger days,” he recalls

Service Delivery’s Matt Stoker and George Stoker also successfully completed the Marathon with a time of 4:16:35 and have raised a total of £4,309 for Age UK.

Metroline has played a pivotal part in the stories of many from across the world over the years. For Engineering Mechanic Maksym, it has been a job that has helped build a new life for him and his family after escaping the devastating conflict in Ukraine.

Originally from Kherson, a city that has seen significant fighting and bombardment during the conflict, Maksym, his wife and daughter were able to leave due to the UK’s Ukrainian Sponsorship Scheme. “My wife looked online and saw about the volunteers in UK who were sponsoring Ukrainians to come the UK,” he recalls. “We found someone and wrote him a message, got acquainted with him via video and they were happy to write an invitation. First came my wife and daughter and I followed 6 months later.”

Thanks to the hospitality of the host family, they were quickly able to settle. Hs wife has been able to start a business providing manicures and pedicures whilst his daughter, now 12 goes to school. Maksym, a mechanic back home, was quickly able to find work at Metroline thanks to the help of a friend and has now already worked here for a year. ““I like this company…everyone has welcomed me really well and I like repairing cars, bus, everything!” he says.

Even so, London’s buses have taken some getting used to. “In Ukraine buses are small, not too big, no double-deckers, all buses are diesel,” explains Maksym. It’s no surprise then that he prefers working on those more traditional mechanical vehicles, rather than the newer vehicles. “I prefer Volvos, Hydrogen no good!” he jokes.

Maksym is also very thankful for the help that the garage, particularly Engineering Manager Gareth Muckett, has given him. “This garage has a good manager, an amazing man. He helped me every time, I have questions for him, he helps every time,” Maksym says.

Gareth is happy to have been able to help, “Maksym is a good guy, and works hard. I’m glad we’ve been able to give him an opportunity to get away from a war-torn country and build a new life at Metroline.”

• Experienced Bus Operator Metroline will operate the Hyde Road, Sharston, Tameside and Wythenshawe franchises commencing 5 January 2025
• Represents a significant addition to the wider ComfortDelGro Group’s growing presence across the United Kingdom, which already includes operations in 23 different towns and cities

MANCHESTER, 28 March 2024 –Metroline Limited, a member of global land-transport group ComfortDelGro has been awarded contracts to operate four franchises in Greater Manchester by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

 

Metroline is the fourth largest scheduled bus operator in London and operates about 17 percent of the city’s scheduled bus services. It is part of ComfortDelGro’s wider operations in the UK, which include; Argyle Satellite, Adventure Travel, CityFleet Networks, Computer Cab, KingKabs, Scottish Citylink Coaches, Megabus and Westbus Coach Services. These companies operate in 23 different towns and cities, offering a comprehensive range of point-to-point and public transport solutions including buses, coaches, taxis, and private hire vehicles.

 

Once part of the Bee Network, people living in Greater Manchester will benefit from a more accountable service, with passengers able to rate their journey and levels of customer feedback in a way that will impact what operators get paid to run the services. Metroline has a proven track record of pioneering green technologies on buses and providing excellent customer service, with drivers regularly receiving commendations and industry awards. Passengers in Greater Manchester can expect a community focused service on Metroline’s buses on the Bee Network, when they enter operation in January.

 

ComfortDelGro’s Chief Executive Officer, Europe Business Unit, Mr Edward Thomas said “We are grateful for the trust placed in us by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and will work closely with all our stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition of services as we work towards delivering the Bee Network vision. We look forward to serving the community in the Greater Manchester area by providing a safe and reliable service, and an elevated passenger experience. We also look forward to being considered the preferred operator of choice across England and Wales.”

 

ComfortDelGro Chairman and Chairman of Metroline holding company Braddell Limited, Mr Mark Greaves said, “We are honoured to have been chosen to operate these franchises and proud to add these new successes to what has already been achieved in the UK. This win is a testament to our commitment to service quality and operational excellence, and will significantly expand our network, deepening our Group’s presence across the United Kingdom. This aligns with our broader strategy to strengthen and strategically grow our core public transportation and point-to-point businesses and solidify our reputation as the multi-modal transport operator of choice.”

 

 

 

Glen Kelly has proven himself one of the rising stars of Metroline’s Engineering team following his exceptional success at the IRTE Skills Challenge. A Coachmaker Based at CELF, Glen won best Bodywork Technician at the 2023 skills challenge, proving himself against engineers from different operators across the country and beyond.

The IRTE Skills Challenge is an annual competition taking place in Bristol for talented engineers in the Bus and Coach sectors. Over 35 teams of engineers from around the world take part and engage in a range of challenges to establish the best of the best.

Glen was challenged with numerous tasks designed to test the entrants to their full ability, including masking a car to demonstrate masking and painting preparation, and fixing a dented vehicle wing utilising skills such as filling and spraying and fiberglass identification. Glen also had to demonstrate welding, panel making and spraying followed by a written paper.

Despite the challenges, Glen did not feel the pressure, “Welding, spraying and panel making – multiple tasks into one thing. That’s what I enjoyed the most,” Glen recalled. “I thrive on taking stuff apart and then putting it back together. That’s what gives me a sense of achievement, gives me joy.”

Glen joined Metroline 2 years ago, the culmination of an apprenticeship and work with both light and heavy-duty vehicles over 5 years. On his decision to join, Glen recalls, “I thought let me try something else, and then I came here… I think I’ve found my niche.” For Glen, working with buses is continuing the family tradition – he follows in the footsteps of his father who was an engineer, and his grandfather who worked as a Bus Driver, “The old man was happy, he was chuffed to bits, my mum was proud as well – you never expect to win’ says Glen.

Most days Glen can be found in CELF making panels and keeping a watchful eye over his apprentice as he trains the next generation of coachmakers. He is always keen to remind his apprentice to ask for help and tells them, “Be proud of your work. Always do something to the book, and always make it look the best that you can because it represents the way you work as a person, and it represents you as a whole. My advice would be if you come in, go for it, don’t be afraid and always do your best. You can’t go wrong by doing your best can you?”

Metroline is taking part in the nationwide Women in Bus and Coach initiative, launched to create a national network that encourages, represents, supports and retains women and is backed by Transport for London. Despite progress made in hiring women into bus and coach, women still only make up 10% of employees in our industry. At an inaugural meeting in 2023, women from Bus operators across London were invited to an event where senior figures from each participating company made a commitment to taking steps to improving the industry for women.

In November, a Parliamentary event took place to celebrate the launch of the initiative, attended by bus and coach industry representatives alongside MPs from all sides of the political spectrum. Speakers at the event reaffirmed the need to ensure a continuous focus on issues surrounding support and retention of women in the industry and to stop women from being pushed to the background.

There was a particular emphasis on facilities, menopause, mental health, flexibility in working times and how women can be better attracted to the industry. Metroline has already started taking positive steps, launching a survey for female employees and trialing free sanitary products in female bathrooms at pilot sites across the business. Work has also begun on a recruitment campaign aimed at engaging women who are thinking of joining the industry and dispelling myths by speaking to women from across Metroline.

Deputy Head of Transport Safety Anna Tkaczyk, who is leading the Women in Bus and Coach project for Metroline, said: “This is a significant step towards improving gender equality and inclusivity across the whole industry, and I’m pleased to say that Metroline is taking a proactive role. As a woman who has been in the bus industry for over a decade, it has not always been an easy ride, and it’s encouraging to see that action is being taken to help to create a better working experience for women.”