A Glasgow bus driver is celebrating 22 years behind the wheel and wants to see other women embark on the same career.
Sandra Starkey has been a coach driver for over two decades and is still mad about the job that has allowed her to "get out on the open road".
Sandra, originally from the south side, and her husband Billy are affectionately known as 'The Starkey's' by regular customers and parter on driving the cross-border routes on the FlixBus network operated by McGill's.
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The couple have taken on some of the longest-distance routes between Scotland and England, which they say has suited them since their children have grown up and they’re able to be away from home.
Having worked together for most of their careers, Sandra still loves working with her best friend, and says that colleagues often talk of them as a duo rather than individuals as they are so close.
During a driving shift, they are known to work in perfect harmony without even having to communicate with each other – sharing the driving, the onboarding of passengers, and the high quality of customer service.
Sandra said: "The best part of driving a coach is getting out on the open road. We’ve been fortunate to see lots of interesting places and it offers opportunity to see the friends we’ve made over the years!”
In the early days of her career, Sandra says men often felt they were better drivers than her, but she proved to have an impeccable record on the road and a successful long-term career.
On International Woman’s Day, she says she’d really like to see more women driving coaches.
She added: “I’d really encourage more women to give it a try – I see more women driving local buses these days, which is great, but still not many on longer distance journeys. You get a great feeling while driving, and have a chance to meet loads of different, interesting people.”
Find driver roles for FlixBus operators: www.flixbus.co.uk/driver-jobs
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