Original version

BBC World Service Australasia

The Conversation

Factual: Life Stories

Two women from different parts of the world share the stories of their lives

Two women from different parts of the world, united by a common passion, experience or expertise, share the stories of their lives.

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service

BBC World Service East Asia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

The Conversation: Truckers: Elin Engstrom and Heather Jones

Magazines & Reviews

Truckers: Elin Engstrom and Heather Jones

BBC World Service - The Conversation, Truckers: Elin Engstrom and Heather Jones

Women who make a living driving tankers and 50 metre super trucks in Australia and Sweden

Female truck drivers from Sweden and Australia on manoeuvring 53 metre vehicles and keeping safe on the roads at night.

Kim Chakanetsa gets into the driving seat with two female truckers from Sweden and Australia.

Elin Engstrom test drives heavy haulage trucks for Swedish transport company Scania. The 26 
-year-old has been in the business for six years and started out operating forklift vehicles, which had to be loaded manually. When she saw that the big trucks had rollers she realised that was the job for her. Elin has driven oil tankers and double trailers and describes driving as an art form. Despite the snow storms, and high winds in winter, she says you get a sense of freedom when you are sitting in your cabin high above the other cars on the road.   

Heather Jones is from western Australia and runs Pilbara Heavy Haulage Girls, which trains women to handle big trucks. She has worked in this industry for 25 years and got into it because as a single parent she needed a job where she could take her two little girls along with her. She describes the trucking industry in Australia like a big family, but even though it is welcoming, Heather says women have to work 200% to prove themselves. She can drive up to 17 hours per day, in trucks that are up to 60 metres.  In summer it can reach 55 degrees and Heather says melting tarmac can be tough to deal with.

(Photo: Elin Engstrom (L) and Heather Jones)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Conversation

Truckers: Elin Engstrom and Heather Jones

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Australasia

About BBC World Service