Dundee’s first female bus driver got back behind the wheel of her old green Daimler at National Express Dundee’s open day.
Elizabeth ‘Anne’ Marnock, formerly Brindley, was guest of honour at the event, which saw crowds of enthusiasts gather at the East Dock Street premises on Saturday.
The 70-year-old who now lives in Fife made headlines in 1971 when, aged 26, she became the Dundee Corporation’s first woman bus driver which at the time was still considered a ‘man’s role.
In her younger days Anne would climb into the high cabin using the wheel and a foothold, however, 44 years later, she opted for a stepladder.
Afterwards she said: “I actually fair miss it. Sometimes when I look back I wish I had kept it up.
“When I moved away from Dundee to Morecambe they wouldn’t take female bus drivers.”
Anne also had a turn on the Blue Ailsa which she moved on to after the Daimler during her bus driving days.
She said: “There isn’t much difference between them. They both drove well.
“What a difference between then and now. When I started a lot of the men said ‘if she’s late we won’t help. They didn’t think I was up to the job.”
She said she had enjoyed spending the day reacquainting herself with her familiar old buses, and the company even managed to find some of Anne’s old employment records.
Managing director Elsie Turbyne said they could think of no one better to be guest of honour at the event.
She said: “Anne definitely paved the way for women in this industry. It is still very male oriented industry but people are trying hard to break down the barriers.”
“It’s just so important. It was an absolute joy to have Anne with us for the open day.
“It was very challenging back then but things have changed a lot and I know National Express is committed to getting more women.”
Meanwhile, the company has also been supporting young designers as 10 young people from the college’s computing and creative media courses have been busy coming up with a new name, livery and logo for National Express Dundee.
The finalists are now working alongside National Express’s own bus designer to complete the project.