The Land Transport Authority is encouraging more women across Fiji to pursue careers in the bus industry as part of efforts to create greater inclusion and address the current shortage of drivers in the public transport sector.
The Authority says every licensed driver, regardless of gender, is expected to meet Fiji’s high standards of safety and professionalism, stressing that the industry should be open to all qualified candidates.
LTA is also calling on bus operators around the country to create equal opportunities by actively recruiting and training female drivers, saying more women behind the wheel could help ease the shortage currently facing the sector.
It says expanding the talent pool with skilled women will not only strengthen the workforce, but also improve service delivery by creating a more diverse transport industry that better reflects Fiji’s communities.
LTA adds that increasing the number of trained and professional drivers on the road will also contribute to safer roads for all Fijians.
President of the Fiji Bus Operators Association, Nisar Ali Shah, says encouraging more women to enter the bus driving industry could provide much-needed support to operators while creating new employment opportunities for women.
While speaking to fijivillage News, Shah says the move by the LTA is a positive step and should not be seen as unusual, pointing out that women are already driving public transport and heavy vehicles in countries including Australia and New Zealand.
He says women in Fiji are already behind the wheel of large trucks, proving they are more than capable of handling bigger vehicles, and there is no reason they should not be given the same opportunity in the bus industry.
When asked about the safety of women, he says safety must remain a priority, but if more careful and professional drivers enter the industry, that can only benefit Fiji’s roads.
Shah says most bus services finish around 6.30pm to 7pm, and if later shifts are available, it should be up to female drivers to decide whether they are comfortable taking on those routes.
