Salisbury Reds celebrate the city's first female bus driver

Monday, 24 February 2025 06:05

The family of a Salisbury woman who became the city’s first female bus driver have celebrated a bus named in her honour.

Gwen Watton passed her Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) test and began driving buses in Salisbury in 1972 - paving the way for hundreds of women who have taken to the driving seat since.

“Times were very different in the early 1970s, and it was virtually unheard of for a women to drive a bus,” said Salisbury Reds general manager, Andrew Sherrington. “Gwen was a trailblazer and, despite numerous setbacks, was accepted for training by our predecessor, Wilts & Dorset.

“Gwen spent her entire career driving buses, both here in Salisbury and to-and-from London. Her family is extremely proud of her achievements, and so are we.

“We wanted to recognise Gwen’s accomplishment, so we have named one our buses after her. Sadly she passed away in June 2018, but we were pleased to welcome members of Gwen’s family for the unveiling - and we’re all looking forward to seeing the bus making its way along many of the routes that she drove for so many years.

“Even to this day, women are still under-represented within the bus industry. We are working hard to change this by holding special recruitment days designed to highlight the benefits of a bus driving career - with the opportunity for potential applicants to talk to our current female team members about what it’s like working for Salisbury Reds.

“Now, we hope Gwen’s achievements - and the sight of her bus making its way around Salisbury - will inspire many more women to join us.”

The family added: “This honour is a beautiful way to remember our mother’s contributions. Though she never sought recognition, she would be deeply touched, and we hope her legacy encourages future generations of women to pursue this career path.”

The bus displaying Gwen Watton’s name will initially operate along Salisbury Reds’ Britford and Peterfinger park and ride routes.