The traffic in the city is serious. The driver of the electric bus told about the work

The driver of the electric bus harmonica Ivan Vabyshchevych has repeatedly participated in competitions of professional skills and has repeatedly won prizes. In 2024 he was awarded the honorary title “Minsk Master”. How he manages to masterfully cope with the car and remain calm and friendly - read the material of the correspondent of the agency "Minsk-Novosti".

How it all started

Ivan is from Stolinsky district of Brest region.

- Since childhood, I have been drawn to transportation. It was my father who instilled in me a love of technology: there was a truck and motorcycles at home. It is not surprising that after school I got the profession of a mechanic at the Pruzhan State Agrarian and Technical College. And then it turned out that he went to the capital and got a job as a driver in trolleybus park No. 2. That was the name of the branch of Transport Park No. 2 of Minsktrans, where I have been working for 23 years, the source said.

Initially, he worked on the old trolleybuses ZiU-9. Having gained experience, moved to newer models.

- Each car had its own features and characteristics, and I was very interested to see how transport develops, says Ivan Arkadyevich. When the first electric buses came to the park, the most responsible drivers were appointed for this technique. I've been trusted to run one, too. We can say that we have made some contribution to the development of electric transport. We offered our ideas to the plant – they were taken into account and implemented on new generations of machines, which is very pleasant. I have been on electric buses for over 8 years.

Electric buses are priced

Ivan Vabyshchevych has no doubts that the future belongs to electric transport. Both public and personal.

- Now I work on an electric bus-according to a particularly large capacity Vitovt Max Electro II. This is the second generation machine, which uses all modern operating solutions. It is much more comfortable for passengers and for the driver, the interlocutor emphasizes. Electric buses have absorbed the main ideas of electric transport: smooth running and braking, the absence of extraneous sounds, environmental friendliness, and maneuverability. You can drive them anywhere without being tied to a contact network, which is very important. I had a giant leap in the geography of travel: now I can get to where I had never been by car before. This is very interesting - and all thanks to the electric bus and its large range.

Ivan Arkadyevich works on different routes, but is mainly busy on the 81st express train, which connects Loshitsa with the city center.

- I am glad that we can freely travel outside the capital, to the suburbs. There is, for example, the 150th route to Ozerzo - we get there without any problems. By the way, the model of the electric bus, on which I work now, with a large power reserve - about 120 kilometers or more can travel, which is quite enough for one working shift, the interlocutor clarifies and adds: - In our park there is an ultra-fast charging station. We drive up and charge through a pantograph (a hinge frame on the roof of an electric vehicle that provides contact between the power grid (wires) and the electrical equipment of the current transmission machine). - Author's note. I need about an hour and the electric bus is ready for the next working day.

Working rhythm

According to the interlocutor, to work in the rhythm of the big city had to get used to.

- Previously, the intensity of traffic was completely different, and the requirements for both drivers and passengers were different. Things are much stricter now. Traffic in the capital is serious, and you drive a car, the length of which exceeds 18 meters, among cars. The work is intense and responsible, Ivan Vabishevich draws attention. It is impossible to distract yourself in any case, because there is a whole passenger compartment behind you. I communicate with them politely and tactfully, and people appreciate it: if they are transported comfortably, they are very grateful. I try to wait for someone who is a little late. Unless there's another public transport behind me. I always make sure that no one is pressed by doors. It is very good that there are cameras - with their help you can accurately determine whether you can already close the doors or not yet.

The shift begins early when most Minsk residents are still asleep.

- I left the park at about 4:50 a.m. and came to work earlier. On the route, the morning rush hour takes 3-4 hours. After that, I go back to the park, recharge the car - I only have 20 minutes. If necessary, you can wash it, clean it, says Ivan Arkadyevich. The second part of the shift starts at 14:00. I check in and go to the right control station. I'll keep driving until tonight. On average, I finish work around 19:30 and go to recharge the car for tomorrow. The next day you should be in the park again at four in the morning.

- It's hard work.

- Yeah, you can't call it simple. But I live not far away, and there are guys from distant areas of the capital, some come from other settlements - they are even more difficult. However, you get used to this rhythm of life. It's my job, you take it for granted.

With his wife Svetlana Ivan Vabishevich brings up two daughters. The eldest, Anna, studies in one of the capital's colleges, the junior, Daria, a schoolgirl.

Photo by Diana Shabala