In the first time in its history, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), has appointed three female bus drivers within the city’s internal bus network. The new female drivers have been deployed as part of the RTA’s latest initiative to introduce more jobs for women within a male-dominated industry, as it stands.
RTA has recently recruited the first batch of three female bus drivers for deployment on the internal bus network, thus becoming the first entity in the Middle East region to take this initiative. https://t.co/6pqh6VIL3f pic.twitter.com/RMw08B7Qeo
— RTA (@rta_dubai) July 6, 2020
The RTA tweeted alongside a press release, “RTA Dubai recruits the first batch of three female bus drivers,” reads the tweet. This initiative is a landmark move, as it is the first of its kind within the UAE. Most RTA employees, from school bus to taxi drivers, are predominantly male, bar the pink airport taxis, which are driven by women.
CEO of RTA’s Public Transport Agency, Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, said in a statement, “This initiative goes with the best global practices of employing female drivers likewise their male counterparts. The step creates job opportunities for women in a field dominated by men and promotes the culture of using public transport in the community, thus contributing to the delivery of better services to clients.”
.@HHShkMohd: Our objective is to provide people everything that ensures their wellbeing, stability and happiness and establish a prosperous future for the coming generations. pic.twitter.com/9TlHGzPapE
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) July 8, 2020
In its first stages, the initiative has deployed the female bus drivers on three of Dubai’s most important routes. Bahrozyan added, “RTA is always keen to continue its pioneering efforts, and this initiative of employing female bus drivers is unprecedented in the Middle East region and is a brilliant addition to this record. The step is also compatible with RTA’s principle of empowering women and achieving gender balance across various jobs.”