Lux Express: Female bus drivers help ease the growing driver shortage

Lux Express employs 15 female bus drivers. Their inclusion is a deliberate and strategic decision by the mobility company to help alleviate the growing shortage of professional drivers across Europe.

In Estonia, Lux Express employs 163 bus drivers, of whom nearly 10% are now women. While last year there were 12 women behind the wheel, the number has now risen to 15 and is expected to continue growing.

According to Lux Express Group CEO Ingmar Roos, the shortage of bus drivers in the transport sector is a long-standing problem, and recruiting female drivers helps ease the situation. “It is often assumed that the job of a bus driver requires significant physical strength, but modern buses are reliable and tasks such as changing a wheel are not a decisive part of everyday work. Therefore, women have an important role in this profession in ensuring that people can continue to travel comfortably, sustainably and safely between cities in the future,” Roos explained.

In February this year, a study published by the International Road Transport Union (IRU) found that nearly 500,000 professional driver positions are currently unfilled in the European Union’s road transport sector. This worsening crisis—also repeatedly highlighted by the Estonian Logistics and Freight Forwarding Association—is increasing pressure on supply chains, reducing transport volumes, threatening essential passenger transport services and ultimately affecting the entire economy.

According to IRU data, the situation is particularly concerning for bus drivers. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of unfilled bus driver positions in Europe increased by 54%. More than 40% of Europe’s bus drivers are over 55 years old, while only 3% are under 25. Without significant changes, IRU forecasts that by 2028 more than 275,000 bus driver positions could remain unfilled across Europe. Women currently account for only 16% of bus drivers in Europe—significantly lower than their share in the overall labour market (46%).

“We can confirm that our female drivers are excellent bus drivers. They handle routine very well and cope effectively with stressful situations in traffic. In addition, our passengers have welcomed them warmly, as reflected in positive customer feedback and the praise shared about our female drivers,” Roos added.