Dublin Bus holding more open days for women drivers

On-going Female Driver Recruitment Open Days

Want a go at driving a bus? Well give it a spin at one of our Female Driver Recruitment Open Days! 

Below dates for the upcoming open days:

• Saturday 9 November
• Saturday 23 November

DUBLIN Bus has set out plans to double the number of women bus drivers as part of a huge recruitment campaign.

Women make up only four per cent of drivers at the company in what is often seen as a male-dominated industry and they hope the open days will help to increase the number of women applying for driving roles.

What to expect on the day On the day you will meet some of our current female drivers and inspectors who will share with you their experiences of working with Dublin Bus. You will get the opportunity to drive a bus with one of our professional driving instructors. We will give you a tour of our Central Control centre, and we will take you through the recruitment process for bus drivers, and the various benefits of working for Dublin Bus.

How do I apply to attend an open day? To attend an open day all you need to do is email opendays@dublinbus.ie to register your interest. You will then receive an automatic email response which is confirmation we have received your details. We will email you with a time slot and directions to the location. You must hold a valid category B (car) licence for a minimum of two years to attend an open day.

Benefits Salaries begin at €632.05 per week (4-day week inclusive of shift and Sunday premium), increasing to €859.62 (5-day week inclusive of shift and Sunday premium). These roles operate scheduled services covering late shifts on a 4-day week from Thursday to Monday with the opportunity to progress to a 5-day week with rotating shifts. 

Initial training and mentoring is provided as well as on-going training and development (including periodic CPC).

On appointment (following a probationary period of 12 months) we will offer you a wide range of benefits including either a company pension scheme or a PRSA pension scheme, a subsidised medical scheme, free bus travel and concessionary rail travel.

In a recent news article Vivienne Kavanagh, Dublin Bus employee development and equality executive, said that plans are under way to increase that number by 100% over the next two years.

She said she wants to challenge some of the perceptions of bus drivers and is hoping that at the open days women will be encouraged to apply.

She said "Public transport world-wide is male dominated and I think because we don't see many women driving buses it can put them off, and there are perceptions that it's physically difficult to drive a bus, but it's not.

"Some people might think it's unsafe but there are CCTV cameras on the buses.

"Drivers have a screen in the cab and there's a radio system to contact inspectors.

"I want to encourage women come along and see what it's like and try driving the bus themselves.

"We are very much focused on being representative of our customers and communities we serve.

"There are lots of business benefits of having more women employed in the company."

Salary

Bus driver salaries begin at 632 euro per week increasing to 859 euro per week.

In 2016, Dublin Bus saw its first all-female class of graduating bus drivers.

Irish motor racing legend Rosemary Smith (pictured above) helped launch the recruitment drive in Dublin's Phoenix Park.

She encouraged women to attend the open days.

She added: "If you think you would have the capabilities, come and have a go at it.

"There are a lot of women who would be afraid to put themselves forward, but I grow up in the era where many women were considered not good enough, or not 'drivers' as such.

"But male-dominated industries are falling by the wayside. Women can do anything they like, the glass ceiling in all sorts of ways has been broken."

After 20 years behind the wheel, bus driver Tina Ahern said the most difficult part is the early morning starts.

She said: "There's only a very small amount of women drivers and we want them to realise it's not that difficult to do.

"You get behind the steering wheel and it's very easy.

"There's a perception that it's hard, but it's definitely not a hard job to do.

"The most difficult is getting up early in the morning but the passengers are lovely, the people I work with are lovely.

"It's male dominated yes but they are all lovely.

"You have a screen so you keep it up you are in any danger but in my 20 years I haven't come across anything.

"Passengers can sometimes be grumpy in the morning but you are the first person they see, we don't take offence to it or anything personally."

Suzanne Armstrong has been working for Dublin Bus for three years.

She said: "I went to an open day and got a tour and spoke to other women drivers and then got to drive the bus.

"I would encourage women to give it a go, turn up and see what it's like.

"I love being a bus driver.

"The most difficult part is finding my way around the city, but it's OK as I always have someone to guide me.

Read more and apply here; HERE