Effort to Foster Respect and Inclusivity through Public Transportation
In the heart of Wuppertal, the Wuppertaler Stadtwerke (WSW) rolls out a new initiative aiming to strengthen diversity, tolerance, and unity – the Diversity Bus. This moving statement is now part of WSW's wider "RESPEKT." campaign, launched in March 2025, which encourages respect, diversity, and inclusion in public spaces.
The Diversity Bus, otherwise known as the RESPEKT.-Bus, is a specially designed public transport vehicle. It serves as a visible symbol of WSW's commitment to embracing and valuing human diversity across multiple dimensions such as origin, age, gender, skin color, religion, disabilities, and lifestyles. The bus's core message – "Unser Antrieb: RESPEKT" ("Our drive: RESPECT") – underscores the importance of these values in everyday life and public interactions.
Sandra Warren, WSW's equal opportunities officer, and Borislava Paunova launched the campaign. Warren explains, "Our colleagues tell us that the campaign sparks conversations – about what binds us, but also about what sets us apart." The Diversity Bus is an extension of these conversations, making the values of tolerance, diversity, and mutual respect tangible and visible to the public.
With around 3,500 employees hailing from over 40 nations, WSW mirrors the diversity of the city's population. "Respect means more to us than good manners – it's the key to a strong togetherness in the company and in public space," emphasizes WSW's director of labor, Markus Schlomski. "As city works, we bear responsibility – also for the social climate in our city."
WSW invites the public to respect its employees, who serve daily in the driving service, on construction sites, and in customer service. "Toward the colleagues who are on duty daily – in the driving service, on the construction site, or in customer service. Respect is not a one-way street – it's a stance we carry together," says WSW.
The campaign will be more visible in public space in the coming months, with additional actions in the city area and at events. "The message is clear: Diversity is a strength – and stance begins with respect," concludes WSW. By signing the "Charter of Diversity," WSW pledges to cultivate a work environment characterized by fairness, equal opportunities, and mutual respect – a stance that starts in everyday life and travels with Wuppertal's citizens.
In the extended campaign, WSW plans to advocate for sustainable living by incorporating home-and-garden practices that promote eco-friendliness. This could possibly involve workshops on composting, rainwater harvesting, and energy-efficient home improvements, demonstrating their commitment to a sustainable lifestyle.
Furthermore, the Diversity Bus, with its core message emphasizing respect and unity, indirectly fosters a harmonious home-and-garden environment within the city, encouraging each individual to cultivate their own small corner of Wuppertal with tolerance and kindness, thereby extending the principles of the RESPEKT. campaign beyond the public transport sector and into the home-and-garden realm of every citizen.
