Couple Drives Same Bus, Handles Daughter Handoffs on Perm Route 80
The married couple both drive on Perm«s route 80 and drew consecutive numbers in a recent driving competition.
Every day, approximately 700 buses and 100 trams operate on the streets of Perm. While for some, it«s a means of transportation, for others, it»s their job. For a few, public transport fills not only work moments but also personal life. There are examples of both dynasties and married couples working in passenger transport. Today, we share the story of one such couple.
Bonded Over Driver«s Day
Bus driver Igor Aleksandrovich works at the auto enterprise «AAAvto». In the summer, his wife Elena also joined the fleet. However, their family story began long before that — in the trolleybus depot where they both worked as drivers.
Elena took the wheel of the trolleybuses in 2011, and Igor — a year later. She chose the profession following the example of her friend, and he — decided to try something new after seeing an advertisement in a trolleybus.
«I don«t even know why my soul leaned towards transport,» says Elena Aleksandrovna. «I lived near the tram depot “Balatovo”. A friend worked on a trolleybus — I went there too. The friend hasn»t worked there for a long time, but I«m still in the industry, even though by profession I»m a builder.»
«After the army, I got a job at “KamKabel”. I lived on Milchakova Street, had to travel far to Gaiva,» says Igor about his entry into the industry. «Once I was riding a trolleybus and saw an advertisement for vacancies. I tried it out, experienced what it«s like — liked it, and stayed.»
They started communicating closely at the celebration of Driver«s Day in a restaurant, which they attended with a small group of colleagues. Within a year, they became husband and wife.
Elena drove the trolleybuses in Perm until trolleybus service in the city ceased. Igor switched from the trolleybus to the bus a bit earlier. According to him, private carriers at that time attracted with higher salaries, and the young family needed money.
After leaving the trolleybus park, Igor and Elena worked for different bus carriers on city and suburban routes. For the past six months, they have been working together at the auto enterprise «AAAvto» and transport passengers on route 80 «Kirov Palace of Culture — Hippodrome».
In September, Elena and Igor participated in the competition «Best Bus Driver 2025». There, they took a theory test on traffic rules and also timed a route with challenges. In the draw, they symbolically drew adjacent participant numbers 4 and 5. The spouses did not win prizes, but they enjoyed the experience.
«At the company, they asked who wanted to participate — I suggested to my wife to see others and show ourselves. In the old days, there was a skills competition on the trolleybus — I liked it all back then too, only the snow fell as if on purpose at the wrong time,» recalls Igor Aleksandrovich.
«It«s a Good Profession, I Recommend It to Everyone»
The only difficulty in the job that the spouses highlight is pressure from aggressive drivers on the roads and passengers in the cabin. At the same time, they do not intend to change jobs to any other.
«I can«t imagine myself in another industry even for a second,» shares Elena. «When our bus breaks down and we sit waiting for it to be fixed — that»s the worst time. I don«t understand how people sit with papers for 8 hours. Here, you drive and don»t really notice the time.»
«It«s a good profession, I recommend it to everyone. I looked at others out of interest: there are higher salaries and shorter workdays… But I look at it and understand that it»s not for me,» agrees Igor with his wife.
Bus with Animated Eyes — for Beloved Passengers
Elena Aleksandrovna«s bus stands out in the traffic flow early in the morning and late at night with animated «eyes». This is how two small LED panels work.
«I start first from the “Hippodrome”, I«ve already memorized the first passengers by face and know who goes to which stop,» notes Elena Aleksandrovna. «But generally, this job can»t get boring. Every day, every round, and every trip is different. There are also passengers that you don«t have time to miss.»
Elena«s bus is equipped with animated LED eyes, making it distinctive on her route.
Elena and Igor work on different schedules: he — only on weekdays, and she — on a 2/2/3 shift pattern. They share not only the route but also lunchtime, during which, if their shifts align, the couple rests together.
Previously, we wrote about a driver who worked on route 77 and ‘animated’ his bus, as Elena Aleksandrovna did.
