Female driver sacked after 34 years for being ‘too short’

More than 13,000 people have joined a campaign to support one of Greater Manchester’s first female bus drivers who was dismissed for being “too short”.

Tracey Scholes, who is 1.52m tall, has lost her job after 34 years because she lacks the “capability” to drive a new model of bus used on her route. The combination of the position of wing mirrors and the pillar on a screen installed to protect drivers means Scholes would have to lean back to use the mirror, leaving her unable to reach the pedals.

After raising concerns with her employer, Go North West, she was suspended and later dismissed with 12 weeks’ notice.

Scholes said support from her union, Unite, had helped get the company to offer her different routes with buses that she is able to drive, but those had fewer hours and less pay.

Go North West said “numerous proposals” to accommodate Scholes had been rejected.