A new campaign was launched today to encourage more women into an “extremely empowering” bus driver role.

The More Mná campaign was launched today by Dublin Bus who said they want to double the number of female drivers in its ranks.

As it stands, there are just 200 women bus drivers in the capital in comparison to 3,000 men.

Dublin Bus driver Ciara Pender told Newstalk she took up the role just under a year ago and hasn’t looked back since.

“Once you get behind the wheel it’s extremely empowering,” she said.

“You just drive around the city and it's really relaxing and enjoyable.

“I love the fact you don’t know what’s coming next and it’s great fun.”

'A big change'

Ms Pender said she was the director of a hair salon in a past life and decided she needed a change.

“I felt like I needed a big change as I was under loads and loads of pressure,” she said.

“My mam had said to me would you have a look [at driving a bus] and I was a little bit nervous and apprehensive about it but said ‘Why not?’

“I went through the process and here I am now – I haven’t looked back since.”

Female drivers pictured with their children on a Dublin Bus. Image: Dublin Bus.

Mum-of-two Rachel Finlay has been a bus driver for almost two years and said she “absolutely loves it”.

“I love how pleasant everyone is,” she said.

“You come in, do your duty, you’re in your own space on the bus and nobody is annoying you.

“You’re driving the bus, seeing new things and meeting new people each day – it’s just fantastic.”

Role for mums

Ms Finlay encouraged other mums to give the role some thought too.

“Everything is hard but you can make it work, it’s about how you go about it,” she said.

“I have a great support system at home, if I’m on early duties my children will go down and stay with my mother and father.

“But you can make it work, it’s different shift work but it’s about how you approach it.”

Happy ending

Carla Redmond told Newstalk she began driving a bus when her husband got sick.

“My husband wasn’t in a position to work; we had a family business and we worked together," she said.

“It just wasn’t working out; he was basically in a wheelchair and I didn’t know what way things were going to go.

“I haven’t looked back since and would often say to myself ‘I don’t know why I didn’t do this years ago’”.

Dublin Bus is holding a series of open days in its Phibsboro depot over the coming months where women are asked to come down and try out driving a bus for themselves.

Details on open days and how to apply for a role can be found at dublinbus.ie

Main image: Female drivers with Dublin Bus pictured at their depot in Phibsboro today. Image: Dublin Bus