Driving Change: Women Leading the Way in Rail Towards a Sustainable Future

Placing people at the heart of the rail sector’s evolution is key to shaping a sustainable future. Despite women comprising over 50% of rail passengers, they represent only about 20% of the rail workforce in the EU and only a fraction are train drivers.

On 23 September, in anticipation of InnoTrans 2024, the Europe For Rail train chartered the key rail stakeholders from Brussels to Berlin, safely, at over 250 km/h in the hands of two train drivers, among which a woman driver.

Nancy Steffens works at Deutsche Bahn and drove the train for the German leg of the journey. She began her career as a ticket vendor in 2003 then became a train manager and head train manager by 2007. In 2013 she successfully applied for the training as a train driver and train driver trainer. Her passion for rail is long-lasting, as she received her first toy train set at the age of one and very rapidly decided she would work in railways. When asked if she had any tips for girls wanting to work in rail Nancy highlighted:

“You need to know the technical aspects of a train and be willing to learn more about your field of work. It has to be a passion!”

Nancy Steffens

On board the train, we also hosted Laura Pantone, another qualified train driver. Laura joined the journey as one of the jusry members of the Women in Rail Award 2024, celebrating outstanding women in the industry.

Laura graduated in International Cooperation and Development in 2020, with a focus on Law, Digital Innovation and Sustainibility, and a Master in Business Administration from the Luiss Business School in Rome. In addition to developing business skills, she developed horizontal expertise in academic topics with a focus on the technical engineering. She became a strategy specialist for Trenitalia and a train driver in 2017 at only 19 years old. When asked to give a tip for girls wanting to work in rail, Laura answered:

“Young women should join the rail sector as it is a solid employer providing economical independence, allowing girls to invest in further education. For instance, railway is one of the best area for protecting rights for maternity. So do not be afraid, and join the rail community!”

Laura Pantone

As the rail sector continues to evolve, the contributions of women like Nancy Steffens and Laura Pantone are not only inspiring but essential for driving innovation, diversity, and sustainability. Their journeys demonstrate that the industry is opening up to new perspectives and talents, making it an attractive and empowering career choice for women. By embracing gender diversity, the rail sector can better reflect the society it serves, placing people at the heart of its transformation.