State of Mexico Trains Women in Public Transport Driving

The government of the State of Mexico has launched the eighth edition of its Mujeres al Volante (Women at the Wheel) training program, with 55 women beginning a course that will prepare them to work as public transport operators. The program will run from Aug. 25 to Sept. 19 and is designed to expand women’s participation in the transportation sector.

“This initiative represents an act of social justice,” says Daniel Sibaja, Minister of Mobility of the State of Mexico. He adds that the effort is aimed at fostering parity in earnings and reducing wage inequality in a sector traditionally dominated by men.

The program was established to address both labor shortages and structural gender gaps in the state’s transport industry. By offering training and certification, authorities seek to improve employment opportunities for women while ensuring a qualified workforce for public transit operations. The State of Mexico, one of the country’s largest and most densely populated regions, reports nearly 18 million daily trips, underscoring the importance of maintaining an adequate pool of drivers.

According to the Ministry of Mobility, 427 women have been trained and certified since June 2024, mainly in the eastern part of the state. Officials argue that women drivers contribute not only to greater gender equity in the labor market but also to safer and more reliable service, citing evidence that women operators are more likely to prioritize accident prevention and vehicle maintenance.

Candi Domínguez, Executive Officer, State of Mexico Transport Institute, says that incorporating women into the sector is “transforming mobility and public transportation in the region.” She adds that the program is also intended to create more equal communities and provide pathways for future generations.

In addition to Mujeres al Volante, the state operates Transporte Rosa, a women-only service aimed at improving safety and accessibility for female passengers. The service benefits over 2,000 users daily and employs 30 women trained through the same driver certification program. Together, the two initiatives form part of a broader mobility strategy launched under Governor Delfina Gómez’s administration.

The continuation of the training program and specialized transport services is expected to expand women’s access to formal employment, with over 65% of graduates already working as drivers or in related roles across municipalities such as Ecatepec, Texcoco, and Nezahualcoyotl. Government officials say that the program will remain in place in upcoming years.

The launch of the new course also comes as the state prepares to update its public transport fare structure. Officials have announced that an increase of MX$2 to MX$3 is under consideration, which would be the first adjustment in seven years. Authorities said the measure is intended to address operational pressures while acknowledging that it will affect household budgets.