Train drivers’ pay equality beats national average

Figures released about the gap in wages between men and women show that train drivers have the lowest inequality of any occupation in the UK. While the overall gender pay gap is 18.4%, for train drivers it is just 0.7%.

Drivers’ union ASLEF welcomed the findings, with General Secretary Mick Whelan saying: “I am delighted that train drivers have the lowest gender pay gap of any job in the UK, because ASLEF has been at the forefront of promoting diversity in our industry, working hard to encourage train companies to ensure that train drivers are more representative of the communities they serve.”

Merseyrail was one of the rail companies which publicised its pay gap - 9%, which it blamed on “a smaller percentage of females in higher-paid roles within general management, train driving and engineering”.

Human Resources Director Jane English said: “The primary factor in this pay gap is the underrepresentation of women in some of our managerial and operational roles, and we are actively addressing what the barriers are for females progressing to those roles.

“The report has given us a good opportunity to take necessary steps to encourage our talented female workforce to consider a career in some of the higher-paid roles, and promote the development opportunities which are available to all our staff.”