Mrs. Dorothy Ebanks, the first woman employed as a driver by Jamaica Omnibus Services, began regular driving after completing a six-week training course. The company emphasised that her gender did not affect her role, conditions of service, or assigned routes, and she wore the standard khaki uniform like her male colleagues. Mrs. Ebanks, who had previously operated a minibus in England, was praised by instructors as “above average” and was part of JOS’ efforts to attract more qualified women drivers.

Published Friday, August, 15, 1969 

First JOS woman driver starts working

The first woman to be employed as a driver by Jamaica Omnibus Services yesterday began regular driving after successfully completing a six-week training course.
Mrs. Dorothy Ebanks of Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth, pulled out of Victoria Park yesterday morning just after seven o'clock on her first journey on Route 10, which operates between downtown and Jack's Hill.

A release from the company said that Mrs. Ebanks was considered by instructors at the JOS Driver School as "above average" and that she completed the six-week course "which is on par with the better drivers who are currently employed by the company."
The fact of being a female does not place Mrs. Ebanks in a special role in terms of conditions of service, which will not be confined to special routes. In addition, her uniform will consist of the familiar khaki pants, shirt, and cap — not a miniskirt as some passengers might have hoped.

The company release said that Mrs. Ebanks applied for the job after reading an article on the JOS Driver Training School that appeared in the Sunday Gleaner some time ago. The Personnel Manager, Mr. Keith Bowen, said the company was short of drivers, which explained the experiment with women drivers. He added that it was hoped to attract more qualified women as drivers.

Mrs. Ebanks, who lived in England before joining the company, used to operate a minibus.

For feedback: contact the Editorial Department at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com.