Every day, bus drivers meet people on their way to work, school, or back home. On March 18, Bus Driver's Day, their important work is recognized. One of them is bus driver Fitsum Kibrom, who drives the Bussigt routes in Piteå Municipality.

Bus drivers play an important role in everyday life. They ensure that people can get to work, school, healthcare, and back home – meeting many different passengers every day. For Nobina driver Fitsum Kibrom, who drives for Bussigt, meeting people is one of the best parts of the job. Being able to work independently while being a part of many people's daily lives makes the job meaningful, he says.

– I meet many different passengers every day. I work independently and am responsible for my bus and my route. It is a good feeling to be able to help people get to work, school, healthcare, and home. It is very important for society.

There is extensive experience behind the wheel. In total, Fitsum has worked as a driver for 25 years in various contexts, both in his home country and in Sweden. – In my home country, I ran my own driving school for 14 years. Then I worked for four years at a bus company. When I moved to Sweden, I first worked for eight years at Ica Kvantum, and now I have been driving buses for Nobina for a year.

As a bus driver, he thinks a lot about how to drive safely and securely in traffic. According to him, it is about both planning and maintaining composure behind the wheel. – First and foremost, good planning and allowing plenty of time for your journey are important. Look far ahead in traffic, keep extra distance, drive smoothly, and do not stress. You also need to consider road conditions and weather, and take care of yourself.

Since Fitsum meets many different people every day, he is sometimes asked if he needs to act as a bit of a psychologist on the job. – Yes, that happens. When I drive the bus, I meet many different passengers, such as people who are stressed, tourists who are unsure, the elderly, or someone who has had a bad day, he says.