They promote a program to train women as public transport drivers in Xochimilco; they seek to strengthen the confidence of users

In Xochimilco, a borough located in the southern part of Mexico City, a new initiative has been launched aimed at training women from the local community to become public transportation drivers. This program seeks to enhance user confidence, create new development opportunities, and contribute to rebuilding the social fabric within the area. The idea was inspired by a similar project in Bogotá, Colombia known as La Rolita, which has gained international recognition for employing women without prior experience as professional drivers and using mobility as a tool for social inclusion and community development.

The initiative, led by Grupo CISA under the direction of Jesús Padilla Zenteno, has been adapted specifically to fit the realities of Xochimilco. Here, the strong sense of community plays a crucial role in strengthening the relationship between public transport services and the people who use them daily. According to Óscar Guzmán Pedroza, the general manager of Zonal Xochimilco (Zoxo), a subsidiary of Grupo CISA, the goal is to incorporate women into the driver roles because they are integral parts of the communities they serve. Their presence can foster greater closeness and trust among users. The project aims to build a model where public transport feels more connected to the community, with drivers who understand the realities of Xochimilco and Tulyehualco, thus reinforcing the bonds of trust between the company and its customers. Women bring qualities such as care, responsibility, and commitment to safety, which are seen as essential attributes for this role.

This initiative also addresses one of the major challenges currently facing public transportation: the shortage of operators. To tackle this issue, a training program has been implemented for these female drivers, many of whom have never operated a bus before. The participants come from diverse backgrounds within the community. Some previously worked within the company washing buses or in monitoring areas, while others were attracted to the opportunity through job fairs looking to learn a new trade. Despite their varied starting points, none had prior experience driving public transport vehicles, though many harbored dreams of doing so.

Currently, these women are undergoing specialized training to take on responsibilities that once seemed distant. Adriana Olivera Amador, one of the first drivers trained through the program, shared her journey, stating she began by washing buses and now has been operating a vehicle for over a year. She emphasized how the company taught her everything from scratch and gave her the chance to grow professionally. Similarly, Brenda Noelia Prado Martínez, who used to work in monitoring, expressed pride in learning to drive a bus. For her, it represents more than just acquiring a new skill—it symbolizes hope for future opportunities for herself and her family.

Beyond simply adding new female drivers to the workforce, the broader objective is to develop a model where those operating the vehicles truly understand the local community's dynamics. This understanding is intended to promote closer, respectful, and trusting relationships between drivers and passengers. Additionally, the initiative marks one of the first tangible outcomes from the exchange of experiences promoted by the International Congress of Transportation (CIT). At this congress, the case of La Rolita was presented as an example of social innovation applied to urban mobility.

As the program continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how effectively it will address the existing gaps in public transportation staffing and whether it will successfully foster the desired level of community engagement and trust. The success of this initiative could potentially influence other regions looking to integrate similar strategies aimed at enhancing both service quality and social cohesion through inclusive employment practices.