Women in Transport is delighted to announce that our valued partner, Lothian, has renewed its partnership with us. Lothian is the UK’s largest municipal bus company, operating over 700 buses across more than 70 routes throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians. Based in the city for 106 years, Lothian is one of the region’s largest employers with a workforce of around 2,700 people, approximately 1,700 of whom are drivers.
Lothian constantly invests in their people to ensure they can deliver accessible, high-quality bus services, supporting the 2 million customer journeys they provide each week for residents and visitors.
Earlier this month Lothian launched a youth engagement and inclusion strategy designed to foster constructive relationships between Lothian and young people in local communities, grounded in mutual respect and understanding. This initiative marks an exciting step forward in strengthening Lothian’s community connections and enhancing opportunities for young people across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
The company also recently welcomed 5,000 members of the public through the gates of one of their depots over the course of just 4 hours for Doors Open Day – Scotland’s largest free festival that celebrates places, history, and culture. Thanks to the generosity of attendees, an impressive £1,732 was raised for Lothian’s charity partner, Age Scotland, underscoring the company’s ongoing commitment to give back to the communities it serves.
Sonya Byers, CEO at Women in Transport, commented on the renewal:
“We are thrilled that Lothian has renewed its partnership with Women in Transport.
“Lothian is deeply committed to inclusion and was highlighted as sector leaders in our 2023 Equity Index.
“It’s been a pleasure to see our Lothian members actively engaged in our events, mentoring and leadership programmes, to support their professional development. We look forward to continuing this individual support whilst working together to support women across the transport sector more widely.
“We were also delighted to see Sarah Boyd appointed Chief Executive of Lothian last month. Sarah is an inspirational role model who demonstrates inclusive leadership and has generously shared her career journey with our members as well as being an Advance mentor. Alongside other senior women across Lothian, she continues to champion women’s advancement in transport and to foster a culture of openness, representation, and empowerment.”
Sarah Boyd, Chief Executive of Lothian, said:
“We’re proud to continue our partnership with Women in Transport, an organisation that champions diversity, inclusion, and professional development in the transport sector. “
“At Lothian, we are committed to supporting women across all levels of our business, cultivating an environment where talent can thrive and leadership is truly inclusive. Collaborating with Women in Transport helps us to share best practice, inspire our people, and ensure that our workforce is reflective of the communities we serve."
For more information about Lothian, please visit lothianbuses.co.uk.
Annual membership for Women in Transport is £60, providing access to professional development and networking opportunities. Corporate packages are available; for inquiries, please email us or visit our website.
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