Turkish bus driver to retire after years making passengers feel like family

Hi again! 

This is a piece we as TRT World team filmed. We really enjoyed doing it hope you enjoy watching it too!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEx4wBIQ2wY

Bus driver, Hikmet Yilmaz, 58, calls his passengers to come to the bus stop so he doesn’t have to keep them waiting in the cold.

He has been working for IETT (Istanbul’s Electric Tramway and Tunnel Establishments) for 21 years.

As Mr. Yilmaz said: “I dreamt of being a bus driver since I was a child.” 

I asked him if it is boring to drive on the same route. He said he enjoys his time on the road because his passengers are like his family.

He tells them where he is through Whatsapp so the passengers can get to the bus stop as he is arriving. That way he keeps them from waiting out in the cold.

He realizes when one of his passengers is not there and gives them a call immediately to ask where they are. He said: “I will miss my passengers and my friends when I retire. I see them as a family.”

He added: “I will be sure never delete their phone numbers. And I’ll always visit them, always.”