A drive is underway to recruit more than 1,000 new women bus drivers amid a multi-million-=pound investment in depots.

The “Go-Ahead Women” initiative has been launched by the Go-Ahead Group, which runs the Bee Network bus franchise that launched in Bolton just last autumn.

They aim to ensure that half of their drivers are women by the year 2035, a jump from just 11.5 per cent across the company as it stands.

Bolton South East MP Yasmin Qureshi said: “My father was a bus driver so I know what a fantastic job it is.

“Every workforce should be accessible to all, regardless of gender, race or class background.

The Bolton News: Bolton South East MP Yasmin QureshiBolton South East MP Yasmin Qureshi (Image: Office of Yasmin Qureshi MP)

“It is amazing to see Go-Ahead investing so much into their staff and setting themselves such an ambitious target.

“To recruit the bus drivers of the future, companies need to be able to draw on the widest possible talent pool.

“There is a shortage of bus drivers so, as well as being the right thing to do, it makes economic sense to target bringing in as many people from across the population as possible.”

The Go-Ahead Group says that the company also plans to invest £8million in it bus depot facilities to make them more welcoming workplaces for women.

Go-Ahead Group chief people officer Carolyn Ferguson said: "We firmly believe that diversity drives innovation and success.

“We’re investing in training and development opportunities for women drivers, and by doing this we’re not only enriching our workforce but also paving the way for a more sustainable and inclusive future."

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The company says that newly hired women bus drives will also be trained in eight week paid programmes,

This, managers say, will give them the skills and confidence they will need to succeed as drivers.

Go-Ahead Bus chief executive Matt Carney said: "Gender equality isn't just a goal it's a commitment to building a better future for all.

“By setting an ambitious target to achieve 50 per cent gender parity by 2035 and investing £8 million to support women drivers in their work environment, we are taking decisive steps to create a more inclusive and equitable workplace."