Women in Transport has opened its third Equity Index survey and is asking employers across the sector to report on the recruitment, pay, progression and workplace policies affecting women in transport. Rail, bus, maritime, road and logistics employers urged to contribute before the November deadline.
The 2025 Index received responses from 100 organisations. It recorded women as 27% of the workforce of participating employers, compared with 23% in 2023. But 59% of participating organisations reported a gender pay gap of 11% or more and 65% had no action plan to reduce their gap.
Road transport recorded an average sector Index score of 41% in 2025, up from 40% in 2023, and remained the lowest-scoring subsector in the report’s published comparison. Women in Transport is encouraging road employers to contribute evidence on inclusive recruitment, progression and employment policies.
The Index’s 2025 mandatory-question score was 52. A separate full WORK180 assessment score was 47%, based on its broader framework and cross-industry benchmarking; these are not the same measure.
Julia Buckley MP, Chair, APPG for Women in Transport: “Transport needs skilled people in every part of the country. We should understand what helps women enter the industry, stay in it and move into senior and operational jobs. I welcome this opportunity for employers to contribute evidence and show what they are doing to widen opportunity.”
Sue Terpilowski OBE, Equity Index Lead, Women in Transport: “The value of the third survey is that we can ask a straightforward question: what has changed? In 2025 we saw encouraging improvements in representation, but stubborn problems on pay and support for working parents. More responses, particularly from smaller employers and frontline businesses, will give us a clearer view of what needs to happen next.”
Sonya Byers OBE, CEO, Women in Transport. said:
“Transport employers are competing for skills at the same time as they are changing how services are delivered. That makes recruitment and retention a boardroom issue. The Index tells us where employers have made headway and where their policies still fall short. We want organisations of every size to take part, including those that have never completed the survey before.”
Gemma Lloyd, CEO and Co-founder, WORK180, commented:
“We know meaningful change starts with understanding where we are and being honest about where there’s still work to do. Now in its third year, the Women in Transport Equity Index is building an increasingly valuable picture of progress across the industry, while highlighting where greater action is needed. We’re proud to continue supporting an initiative that turns data into insight, accountability and ultimately better outcomes for women across transport.”
The survey opens this week. Findings are due to be published on International Women’s Day, 8 March 2027. Organisations that participated in previous surveys can access their existing data, making it easier to review and update responses and track progress over time. Women in Transport is encouraging employers of all sizes, across every transport sector, to take part and contribute to a clearer picture of workplace equity across the industry.
Click HERE to complete the survey.
(Picture: Women in Transport)
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