Metro has become the first rail operator in Australia to employ 500 female train drivers.

Women now make up 37 percent of the nearly 1400 qualified and trainee train drivers, the biggest pool in Metro Trains’ history. In 2009, there were just 26 women driving trains for Metro. A recent Metro Trains’ recruitment drive was made up of 84 per cent women.

Metro Trains’ CEO Raymond O’Flaherty says, “Train driving is an important job opportunity offering flexibility and career progression and I urge anyone interested in finding out more to do so.

“We want our team to reflect the community that we serve. This means committing to a more diverse and inclusive workplace.”

Women are traditionally under-represented in the transport and transport construction industry. The Labor Government has committed $6.25 million to its’ Women in Transport Program, which aims to increase the number of women working across transport by 30 per cent by the end of 2024, the number of women in senior roles in the public sector to 50 per cent and the private transport sector to 30 per cent.

The program includes 21 initiatives to attract and retain women in the transport sector, including training programs for women heavy vehicle drivers, diesel mechanics scholarships, a leadership development scholarship program and an engineering pathway program for female refugee and asylum seekers.

The strategy involves public and private entities – the Department of Transpot (DoT), Major Transport infrastructure Authority (MTIA) and major transport project organisers, VicTrack, MTM, Yarra Tram, V/Line and bus operators.

Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll says, “This is an important milestone for Metro Trains – and it’s great to see more women making their mark in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

“We’ve worked really hard to get more women within our transport family – we’ve still got more to do, but it’s great to see Metro’s numbers climbing.”

Metro have been endorsed by global jobs network Work180 as an employer of choice for women. It screens employers against a set of criteria that demonstrates that the organisation is committed to diversity, equality and inclusion.

Metro welcome applications from anyone who is excited about train driving and is determined to ensure people in Melbourne passengers travel safely. Being a train driver offers flexibility, career development and a supportive team culture.