Liberated line...

Taupo Times, Volume 23, Issue 56, 16 July 1974, Page 1

Liberated line...

Who says driving a five-ton, 40-seater bus is a man's job . . . Taupo's branch of the Hawke's Bay Motor Company has been employing women bus drivers for the past five years. The girls are Carol Groves, Irene Collins, Meredith Walker, Sheila Haupapa, Sheryl Boyce and Jill Weston [relievingj. The job suits both parties involved. Management says it is an economically viable proposition, and the girls reckon the money comes in handy — and it makes a break from routine, household chores. Reasons for taking the job are varied. Most agree it is simply because they like driving. One said she has

always wanted to drive a bus and considers her job a hobby — one she gets paid for. "I need that money, and the hours are good," said another. Few found trouble in changing from "nipping down to the dairy" in the family car to trundling a large bus around the country. "It's easy. You just remember it is a bit longer and a bit wider than a little car." "Nothing to it." And the motor company's manager, Mr Rex Vincent, said the girls are "terrific." "As far as we are concerned they do a flrst-class job," he said. Driving is becoming a popular part-time occupation for women, especially in Taupo. While in other centres bus companies are find-

ing trouble getting good women drivers, Taupo offers a surplus. The Hawke's Bay Motor Company has a waiting list. Taupo has been conditioned to seeing women ferrying buses around our streets. But on out-of-town trips the drivers get disbelieving stares. "Motorists look — then look again," said Mrs Boyce. "A traffic officer at Rotorua was controlling traffic at an intersection, he waved my lane on and when he saw a women driving a large bus he stopped controlling, and just looked." But incidents like that are less frequent now. Maybe the public has realised women bus drivers are here to stay.