Women in the bus industry celebrated as Transport Minister visits Manchester to reaffirm commitment to bus revolution

WOMEN'S achievements in the bus, coach and community transport industry have been celebrated at a special awards event in Manchester, on 8 October 2024, which was attended by the Local Transport Minister.

During the event, Simon Lightwood discussed Women in Bus and Coach's key aims to stand in solidarity across the profession, uplift female role models in engineering, driving and management, and challenge industry policies that do not meet women's needs.

The awards come as the Government continues to overhaul the bus industry, by handing power back to Councils to grow passenger numbers and deliver better services for all, no matter where people live.

The Minister reiterated the Government's commitment to ensuring the brightest minds in the industry are in the driving seat as these plans progress.

Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood said:- "I was delighted to celebrate the incredible achievements of women in the bus and coach industry up and down the country. Our plans to deliver better buses will end the postcode lottery that has determined the quality and frequency of bus services for too long. As we deliver this biggest overhaul to buses in a generation, the work of each and every driver, engineer, manager and the countless others who keep our country moving will be vital"

The Minister also spoke to young engineers in the industry, following a panel event on opportunities for young women. He heard from Lucy Hough (First Bus), Liz Eades (Stagecoach South East), and Hannah Currie (Wrightbus), who all discussed the barriers facing women in the industry and their experiences as engineers in a male dominated sector.

Yesterday, marked another landmark in the roll out of bus franchising, as the Government's month long consultation on updating guidance to reduce barriers to franchising closed. This has seen the Government discuss franchising closely with industry, and the outcome will be announced in due course, alongside next steps for implementing the Bill.

Attendees at the event also heard from Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who has overseen a dramatic transformation of Regional bus services over the last year, with the introduction of the Bee Network.

Mayor for Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:- "In Greater Manchester we're bringing buses back into local control, with cheaper fares, better buses and, crucially, more reliable services all attracting more people onboard. Our success is down to the hard work and dedication of Bee Network staff, including:- the many brilliant women working tirelessly to deliver a great service to the people of Greater Manchester, whether that's driving buses, working at our bus Stations, interchanges or Travelshops, or leading our franchising programme. It was fantastic to see that recognised today, and as we grow the Bee Network and take forward our plans to transform technical education in Greater Manchester through the MBacc, we want to encourage even more women into the industry."

The Network called time on the previous broken system of regulation and has set a new bar for urban bus services by introducing capped fares, integrating buses into a Citywide transport network, and unifying services under a singular, recognisable identity.

The Government wants to replicate this nationwide, as it seeks to drive growth and share opportunities by providing regular, reliable and affordable services for passengers.

Louise Cheeseman, Chair and Founder of Women in Bus and Coach said:- "I'm proud to see the incredible achievements of women across our industry celebrated at the 2024 Women in Bus and Coach summit. This event not only highlights the inspiring individuals shaping the future of the bus, coach and community transport sector, but also reinforces our collective commitment to breaking barriers and creating opportunities for women. We warmly welcome the Government's plans to deliver the biggest overhaul of bus services in a generation, and we look forward to working together to ensure these changes empower a more inclusive, accessible, and innovative future for all."

The visit also comes as GoAhead buses announced a major £500million investment to decarbonise its fleet today, including:- creating a new dedicated manufacturing line and partnership with UK bus manufacturer Wrightbus.

Young people to be given a helping hand on the creative industries ladder

THE 1st cohort of Future Movement students at the press night of:- 'Peaky Blinders - The Redemption of Thomas Shelby,' at Liverpool Empire

Budding young actors, musicians, photographers, fashion designers and Film Directors from across Liverpool are being invited to sign up to a creative programme that could give them a head start in their chosen career.

Commissioned by Liverpool City Council's Culture Liverpool team as part of its Creative Neighbourhoods programme and funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Future Movement is delivered by leading British dance company Rambert.

The free creative youth programme, aimed at those aged:- 16 to 25, is unique because it is co-created with the young people, designed around their career ambitions.

Throughout the 12 week programme, Rambert invites guest artists from a wide range of creative industries to share their skills, experience and career paths with the participants, who will benefit from dedicated sessions focusing on different areas of work such as producing and marketing.

The initiative was piloted in Liverpool last year following its success in:- London, Rochdale and Mansfield and it gave young people the chance to collaborate with like-minded creatives across the country.

During the programme, the students had the opportunity to work with and be mentored by industry experts including:- Merseyside born designer Patrick McDowell and Film Director Dan Löwenstein of House of Create.

The students also collaborated with set and costume designer Olivia Du Monceau to design and make a protest banner. Researching art and activism, the group used different mediums of creativity, such as sewing and drawing to create a joyful banner of self expression.

The programme culminated in an exhibition of the students' work at the press night of Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby at the Liverpool Empire earlier this month. Here, they not only had the opportunity to showcase their work, but also to network with industry insiders including:- the producers of Peaky Blinders, which was filmed in Liverpool, and the Chief Executive of Arts Council England.

The new term started on:- 8 October 2024 and the group meets every Tuesday, from:- 6.30pm to 8.30pm at:- Toxteth Library, Windsor St, Liverpool, L8 1XF.

Liverpool City Council's Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle said:- "Full of BAFTA winning productions and Oscar winning talent, Liverpool has a vibrant, fast-growing creative sector, which plays a significant role in contributing to the local economy. So it's only right that we invest in the next generation of creatives. We've never been short of pioneers in Liverpool and while the City attracts worldclass talent, it's vital that we invest in home grown talent and help our young people achieve their potential. Seeing the work that the young people have produced has blown me away; truly inspiring."

Daniel Fulvio, Deputy Director of Audiences and Rambert's lead on Future Movement says:- "Future Movement is designed to inspire and support anyone who is interested in starting a career in the creative industries. It aims to fuel young minds whilst giving them opportunities to try things out in an environment where they are supported to push themselves to build new skills and explore a range of creative jobs. Liverpool is a beacon of creativity in the UK. Not only is it the birthplace of Hollywood stars and award winning Directors and producers, but it is the second most filmed UK City outside of London and a UNESCO City of Music. Future Movement is a youth programme that takes young people seriously as the next generation of creatives and where better to nurture talent than here."

Patrick McDowell, Fashion Designer collaborating with Rambert on Future Movement says:- "Working with Future Movement has been enriching and fulfilling on both a creative and a personal level. It has been a joy to have had this opportunity to return to my hometown to work with young people from the area, who have opened my eyes to different ideas. Growing up, I was inspired by Liverpool's style and how powerful and strong clothing seemed to make people feel. My working-class background and queer identity allowed me to see things through a certain lens, working with what I had to create something special. That ethos has remained with me to this day, and it has been such a joy to mentor this pioneering project to inspire the next generation of creatives."

Kieran Gregory, a 19 year old actor who took part in the pilot said:- "Future Movement is boss. I'm an actor, but as part of the programme, we designed a costume for 1 of the Rambert dancers. I've had no previous experience of contemporary dance before so it's great to have new skills to put on my CV. We're exposed to so many different people, learning about their journeys into the world of creative arts. Rambert have been so good at letting us use our brains. We've gone to them and said:- 'we've got this idea, can you make it happen?' And they've said:- 'yes, we'll back you to the hilt.' Whatever stimulus they give us, we'll put our Scouse twist on it. I love representing Liverpool because people outside the City don't properly understand. Over the last couple of years, things like Eurovision have been fantastic for the community so why not showcase it? Rambert and Culture Liverpool have put their faith in us and given us that opportunity and confidence."