A train drivers’ union is calling on recruiters to encourage more women to apply for London Underground driver roles, as new research finds men will continue to dominate the transport system’s workforce.
Union Aslef has released new findings that show fewer than 20 per cent of Tube drivers will be women in 30 years’ time.
The number is similar to similar figures: just 19 per cent of current drivers are female. The union claims that Transport for London (TfL) is doing nothing to change this.
In March this year, Aslef says there were 3,836 Tube train operators on the London Underground network. Some 3,102 identified as male, equating to 80.1 per cent of the workforce.
Since 2024, London Underground has recruited 505 drivers to replace retiring staff and prepare for new trains on the Piccadilly line.
But four in five (80 per cent) of the new recruits have been male, Aslef says.
Finn Brennan, Aslef’s full-time organiser for the Underground, said: “With many train drivers staying in the role until retirement that means that, in 30 years’ time, fewer than one in five will be women.
“There is absolutely no reason why the driving grade should not be gender balanced. The issue isn’t shift work, or the work/life balance, which we have addressed in recent years. Women make up the majority in low-paid roles, like cleaning or catering, that also require shift work.
“The problem is a failure by TfL to actively encourage women to apply for the role and support them to do so. It is time for this to change.
“If TfL is serious about having a workforce that reflects our city, then it needs to take action now.”
In response, a TfL spokesperson told The Independent: “While our recruitment processes have been agreed with our unions, we always remain open to discussions about anything that can make the Underground a better place for our colleagues. We continue to work hard to attract more women into TfL, especially in operational grades, like our drivers, where they are underrepresented.
“While many of our chief officers and directors are women, and 40 per cent of people joining our organisation as graduates. Like the rest of the transport industry, there is lots of work still to do to attract more women into operational roles, and we remain committed to this effort.”
Transport for London’s latest job postings can be found on its website.
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