Friday, 8 March 2024

A record number of women are in the driver’s seat on Adelaide railways as more females make a career move into public transport.

Former flight attendant Rhiannon Godlevski swapped flying for train driving nearly two years ago, and now she helps carry 38,600 daily commuters along six Adelaide Metro lines.

The mother-of-one is among 35 females who make up about 20 per cent of the network’s 172 train drivers – up by 775 per cent from four women three years ago.

‘’I’ve been interested in trains my whole life, so the thought of being able to operate one and have full responsibility over that vehicle was exciting,’’ she says.

Drawn to the tracks by the technical demands of driving, Ms Godlevski started training for the role with Keolis Downer a few months after the birth of her son, Lloyd.

“The sisterhood is a pretty close-knit one. We have lots of young mums which is great; there’s always a frantic wave when we see each other on the platforms,’’ she says.

From former chefs to finance workers and fellow aviation professionals – Ms Godlevski has a commercial pilot licence and spent 12 years in cabin crew with Qantas – the women have diverse professional backgrounds.

Ms Godlevski says job security and the flexibility of shift work make train driving an appealing option for mothers seeking better work/life balance and a fulfilling career.

‘’We all bring a different skillset. For me, it ticked a lot of boxes: high-level training, still being able to provide excellent customer service to people, and taking on more of a technical role,’’ she adds.

“Although it’s not a physical job, mentally, you need to be on. You need to stay focussed for long periods doing repetitive tasks because things can change at the drop of a hat.

“You need to be very aware of your procedures and particularly the following of your signals and dealing directly with train control who oversee the operation and make sure we are operating safely.

“You have to be adaptable and flexible to realise what is actually behind you because there’s a lot of meterage and tonnage that you are responsible for.’’

Ms Godlevski is proud to play a part in busting the stereotype that rail is a man’s domain.

"You see the impact on children, particularly young girls who say, `Are you the driver?’ because they might have thought they could never do that.  It’s surreal to be able to answer, `yes I am’ and encourage them so that they know they are growing up in a world of opportunity."

Ms Godlevski says the Belair line is a shift favourite for its scenery and technical difficulty, while trundling over the Onkaparinga Bridge never gets old.

‘’I love coming into Adelaide Railway Station too and watch and smile as all the people make their way past,’’ Ms Godlevski says.

‘’In the morning, I always say to my little one, ‘Mummy has to go to work now to take all the other mummies and daddies to work’.

‘’What a great feeling it is to be able to provide that for people who maybe don’t have the financial means to travel by vehicle, or who just like the convenience of commuting by rail to and from work.’’

To women considering making tracks towards public transport, Ms Godlevski says:

‘’You are so welcome! It is full of opportunity, so come and join us.’’

Carolyn forges new career path on historic tram route

After 25 years working in superannuation, Carolyn Hughes applied for 75 roles before settling on her next career move.

‘’This was the one for me, I just knew it,’’ says the Torrens Connect tram operator.

‘’I love the customer service, interacting with the passengers; I try and help them as best I can.

‘’The kids are wonderful! The other week I got a thumbs up from a little boy and that really made my day.’’

Miss Hughes is among a growing group of women seeking new opportunities on Adelaide’s tram network which shuttles more than 700,000 passengers between 33 stops from Glenelg to Hindmarsh each month.

Besides job satisfaction, she has found camaraderie on the tracks.

‘’I do notice a lot of people say, `Oh, it’s a lady driving’, that is exciting as well because usually they just think it’s a gentleman driving,’’ Miss Hughes says.

‘’We are all friends and really supportive of one another.’’

As a child, Miss Hughes found comfort in the hum of the old ‘red rattlers’ on weekly trips to the Bay with her mother and sisters.

Recently, she chalked up seven trips in one day to Glenelg – a personal best behind the controls.

The much-loved route to Moseley Square is not without its challenges, with trams sharing the narrow Jetty Road strip with beachgoers and motorists.

‘’You can feel it when you have a full tram,’’ she says. “I make announcements, so people move down the tram… I hold the doors if I see someone elderly. I check my mirrors to see if they are seated safely. It’s amazing to be able to get people where they want to go to safely.’’

With its new kingfisher mural, Brighton Rd is Miss Hughes’ favourite platform, while South Road always stops her in her tracks.

“Usually, I’m there a bit early and you can just sit and look at all the traffic flowing by; you’re on a tram and you don’t need to worry about all that traffic,’’ she says.

“I am really proud – proud that I’m now part of history, driving a tram. It is the best job of my life.’’

Marina on the move to empower women

Bus driver Marina Copestick only needs to approach a roundabout to realise how far women have come – and where they are going – in public transport.

Every thumbs-up from a motorist as she slowly goes around is a sign that she is helping drive female representation forward in a traditionally male-dominated space.

‘’I get the thumbs up a lot from guys; it’s great,’’ Ms Copestick says.

“I love customer service, driving around and seeing Adelaide, the passengers, and the freedom of being on the road - it’s everything.’’

Ms Copestick says she hasn’t looked back since returning to Busways one year ago after a stint as a Bunnings door greeter.

“I missed being out in the open. Time goes fast driving,’’ she says.

“I love it. I know all the routes. You feel different, especially being a woman behind the wheel.’’

Ms Copestick is one of 17 female drivers with Busways in Adelaide Metro Outer South region.

‘’We have our own little chat line, we’re called the ‘bus chicks’ on Messenger. We are a close group,’’ she says.

"Driving along in the bus, I see a lot of women driving trucks, and I think, yes, we are getting out there, and in the trains too."

“It’s a growing industry for women and it’s exciting.’’

Servicing routes in the south, Ms Copestick knows many of Adelaide Metro’s three million monthly passengers by name and relishes being a welcoming face as they hop on the bus.

“It’s lovely. You have conversations and get to know the regulars, and when they go on holidays and then come back, it’s always good to see them again,’’ she says.

“I drive all around my area - up to Sellicks Beach, along the esplanade, through McLaren Vale and Willunga, past all the wineries.

‘’You get to see all these beautiful places.’’

Ms Copestick would like to see more women behind the wheel.

“I’m always at my friends saying, ‘give it a go’, especially if you love driving and being outside.

“I love my job and I’ll be here ‘til I retire if they’ll have me!’’

Count Her In: Join us in celebrating International Women's Day.