Hull Trains has been recognised nationally for its commitment to diversity for having the highest number of female drivers in the industry.
The local operator has been shortlisted for the Top Employer of the Year award at this year’s Women in Rail awards. This is the second time in a matter of months that the company has put Hull on the map, having recently been named as the most reliable provider of train services.
The Women in Rail Awards are seen as the benchmark for the railway industry and showcase companies that are making significant contributions to improving gender balance, diversity and inclusion.
Today, 27% of Hull Trains drivers are female – this is the highest percentage in the UK rail industry where the average currently sits at 6.5% according to 2021 statistics.
Alongside this, the company benefits from a 50/50 gender split across its executive board and 48% of its total workforce is female.
The Women in Rail Awards have become a staple in rail events since their launch six years ago in 2018.
Louise Mendham, Service Delivery Director at Hull Trains, explained: “Since we first formed 23 years ago, we have always enjoyed seeing our colleagues progress from catering through to on board manager roles onto becoming drivers and 100% of our female drivers have benefited from that approach. We have some of the most qualified and well-trained drivers, who have already gained a vast amount of experience having worked in operational roles beforehand. Our approach to flexible working has also helped us retain colleagues, which is equally as important.
“To be shortlisted for this award, and recognised as one of the most diverse employers, is a fantastic achievement. We have a strong commitment here at Hull Trains in line with the Women in Rail agenda and we all truly understand the benefits of a gender-balanced and diverse workforce.”
The award finals take place on the 18th of May at the iconic Roundhouse, Camden London and will be attended by a cross-section of the UK rail sector, including operators, infrastructure providers, stakeholders, and key decision makers.
Earlier this year, Hull Trains’ Paragon fleet was awarded a Gold – the highest accolade possible – in the 2nd Generation new inter-city category at the Golden Spanner Awards for providing the most reliable services in the UK.
Furthermore, a recent report from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) also revealed that Hull Trains is the only rail operator in the UK where journey levels are now exceeding pre-pandemic levels. For the last quarter (1st October to 31st December 202), Hull Trains delivered more journeys than during the same period three years ago, pre-pandemic. This was despite the largescale disruption that occurred during this time which affected large parts of the rail network, with many operators introducing reduced timetables on days on and surrounding industrial action.
