How Much Salary Do Route Bus Drivers Demand

We are stuck between the government and passengers, we have become the "shield vest" of the municipality. The passenger does not pay, and when you ask them to pay, they say, 'Go ask Nikol for it.' This was stated by one of the route bus drivers who are on strike during a conversation with reporters.

“Which of the contracts assures my safety? If someone gives me a phone or a bag to my head, I won’t just sit there and take a beating. If I complain just a little, they tell me I'm a bad driver and I should write my resignation and leave. A woman gets on the bus holding her child and says she doesn’t have 100 drams; should I tell her to get off the bus? Will your conscience allow you to act in such a way?” he shared.

When asked by reporters what other demands they have besides salary, the drivers stated, “We have many demands, starting with human conditions. We can’t even go to the restroom. Would it be pleasant for a passenger if I stop the bus at a stop and say, ‘Dear people, excuse me, I need to use the restroom’? Is it pleasant to sit in a bus and see that the driver is poorly dressed? Ask yourselves who provided you with that uniform. They sold us that uniform for 12,500 drams and the short vests for 5,000 drams. The municipality sells uniforms to its drivers—it has become a racket.”

“Where do you see extortion here? A month ago, they promised us that everything is going to get better regarding salary and restroom issues. They announced in such a way that the entire public knows that I receive a salary of 550,000 drams,” the drivers added.