Gazeta Kirovets, October 25, 2026, 10:17. An early rise, a strict schedule, and constant responsibility: for Vladimir Leshukovich, a driver at the Autopark No. 14 branch of OAO Mogilevoblavtotrans, this is not just a daily routine, but a path that spans 30 years.

At one time, he ended up in Kirovsk thanks to his wife. The young family initially lived and worked in Bobruysk, but when his spouse was offered a position as an accountant at the Kirovsk PMK No. 255, they commuted to work together. Over time, the cozy town of Kirovsk grew on them so much that the couple decided to settle there permanently. After getting a job at Autopark No. 14, Vladimir Sergeyevich was offered the opportunity to learn a new profession: he was sent to Mogilev to study for a category D license. Upon his return, he honed his driving skills on an old LAZ, which the driver himself had restored and put back into service.

The first trips, of course, were exciting, since the lives and health of people were at stake, but then I got used to it, the driver recalls with a smile. I got a new LAZ and worked with Vladimir Kovalev for a long time. We understood each other with half a word. The routes were shift-based back then. We drove to Minsk, and the farthest destination we had to travel to for charter trips was Brest.

Over the past three decades, there have been all sorts of experiences on the roads. The most serious challenge for drivers remains the winter. In the past, winters were especially snowy and harsh, and the road conditions often tested the durability of both the vehicles and the people.

On the professional holiday, the Ministry of Transport and Communications awarded ticket cashier Lilia Starovoytova an Honorary Certificate. Alexander Vishnevsky received a badge of honor “For Work Without Accidents” of the first degree. Bus driver Leonid Akushevich and transport mechanic Alexander Vyganovsky will be presented with Honorary Certificates from the unified trade organization “Mogilevoblavttrans”.

– “Sometimes, when you drive in winter from Bobruisk, everything around is a continuous white expanse,” the driver explained. – “Even the road ditches are invisible, and behind you is a full bus of people. The responsibility is colossal! Thank God we always reached our destinations safely. There were times when, after stopping on slick ice, the wheels would start to skid. And that’s when passengers would always come to the rescue: they would get out together and push the bus to free it from the snow‑ice prison. People here are understanding and responsive.”

The profession of a bus driver is not only the romance of the road but also a daily demanding job: early starts, working on holidays and weekends… Currently, the main routes of Vladimir Leshkovich go to Bobruisk, as well as to suburban destinations: Lyubonych, Sergeevichi, and other settlements in the district, and he works on charter trips.

– “The main quality for our profession is a softer character,” the man notes. – “You always have to try to smooth out conflict situations and be friendly. And how pleasant it is when people, getting off the bus at their stop, sincerely say, ‘Thank you.’ Those words always warm your heart.”

Today the organization’s fleet consists of modern, comfortable buses that are convenient for both passengers and the driver. But the main thing in the work remains unchanged: to safely transport passengers to their destination.

Lyudmila SEMENOVA. Photo by the author.