There is an estimated shortage of 4,000 bus drivers in the UK, according to figures from the TUC - so it's no surprise that pretty much every bus and travel company is desperately looking for more to join their ranks serving passengers. Greater Manchester bus company Go North West is one of those on a major recruitment drive - and they are particularly interested in getting more women behind the wheel.
Fewer than one in 10 of Go North West's drivers are currently women, something managing director Nigel Featham says they are keen to change. He says concerns over shift work and the ability to manoeuvre such a large vehicle are common barriers for people, particularly women, but he is keen to assure those who might be interested in taking on the role that bus driving can be a career for anyone.
In a bid to see what driving a bus is really like, Manchester Evening News reporter Nicole Wootton-Cane, who admits she found learning to drive a car stressful in the beginning, decided to get behind the wheel of a Go North West and test it out. While she was initially terrified at the thought of having to control an 11-tonne bus, she actually found that, after a bit of practice, she was quite good at it.
