Excelling against the odds

The right stop

For Liao Sha, an exemplary bus driver at Guiyang Public Transport in Southwest China's Guizhou province, some people's preconceived notions about female drivers are "nonsense".

"Female drivers can better serve passengers with their unique carefulness, empathy and perceptiveness," the 40-year-old said.

Liao obtained her city bus driving license at 21. In 2007, she joined the Route 15 exclusive female driver line, the first of its kind in China established in 1999. Since then, she has reported no accidents during her work, and has won a good reputation.

"I think female drivers tend to be gentler and more careful," Liao said. "Male drivers might prioritize speed, whereas women usually double-check for safety before changing lanes — unlike some male drivers who might switch lanes on impulse. In fact, many female bus drivers are just as skilled, if not more so."

Liao said women are more detail-oriented and assess road conditions more carefully. They pay closer attention to passengers like children and the elderly. For example, slowing down when an older person boards or even offering a helping hand when they exit.

In 2018, while driving her bus Liao noticed a grandma with a young girl who looked sick. The young girl soon became unresponsive, showing symptoms of limb convulsions and a bluish complexion. Liao immediately changed the route to a hospital.

"I pulled out the key, grabbed the grandma's bag, lifted the girl's feet and she held the head, running to the hospital," she said. "When I returned to the bus, to my surprise, all the passengers were still there. I apologized, but they said they stayed because they wanted to know if the little girl would be okay. I was so moved," she said.

The female driver team in Guiyang now has more than 30 workers, aged from 30 to about 50. Their route passes major attractions such as the Jiaxiu Pavilion, Hebin Park and the provincial museum. In 2015, the Route 15 team was designated as a "Lei Feng Unit" for its committed service. Lei Feng was a People's Liberation Army soldier and a role model of selflessness, modesty and dedication.

Despite being a bus driver for more than a decade, Liao's passion for her career remains the same now as on day one. "I thought, 'A girl driving a huge bus? So cool!'" she said.

Her pride in providing an essential public service overrides the lower back pain from sitting long hours, she said.

"I'm happy to serve the people. I believe every position has the potential to shine. Every job can turn ordinary tasks into something extraordinary," Liao said.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the mother of one voluntarily stuck to her post despite fear of infection. For her efforts, she received accolades, including being named as one of the nation's greatest bus drivers, Guizhou's greatest laborer, and a deputy to the National People's Congress.

Liao has participated in the customized design of two new routes — one targeted at farmers selling vegetables, and another aiming to better serve students attending school and the elderly visiting hospital.

"Women's value comes from self-recognition, economic independence and the belief that we have infinite possibilities, and every effort can make our world better," she said.