Cade Lucas
When Hoppers Crossing’s Tania Kukielka joined Metro Trains three years ago she expected to provide customer service and help to people using Melbourne’s train system.
Today, it was LGBTQIA+ youth rather than rail commuters that the Authorised Officer was helping as one of the organisers of Metro and Yarra Trams celebrations for ‘Wear It Purple Day’.
The day which aims to express support and respect to LGBTQI+ youth by wearing purple, also involved allowing a group of high school students access to the Metro Academy in South Kensington where they learnt about the industry and what a career in rail would look like, as well as having a go in the X’Trapolis training simulator.
Given it was Ms Kukielka’s wife, a Protective Services Officer, who originally suggested she apply for job at Metro because it was an inclusive and supportive employer, it was an especially poignant day.
“It feels really good working for a company where everyone is seen as equals,” said Ms Kukielka of working at Metro where the number of female drivers has grown from 26 in 2009 to 550 today.
Yarra Trams has reported similar growth and both are recognised as WORK180 organisations committed to raising workplace standards for women and gender-diverse people across the network.
Ms Kukielka said both public transport providers served as an example for other employers.
“While there’s still away to go, Metro is showing people that this is the culture we want and its where we want to be.
We’re part of everyone’s journey on a daily basis and it’s important that a diverse range of people – with different sexualities, genders, nationalities and much more – are visible on our network and reflect the community we serve.”
