© Michael Fahrig/VDV/LieblingsbusfahrerIn
A favourite bus driver comes from Giessen
Enver Dar from MIT.BUS is one of Germany's favourite bus drivers.
Courteous, attentive, always calm and level-headed, always friendly and with a smile on his face - this is how Enver Dar, a bus driver for MIT.BUS, can be characterised briefly and accurately. The letter on the basis of which Enver Dar was selected as one of Germany's 25 favourite bus drivers was much more detailed. Enver Dar was actually nominated for the 2024 Favourite Bus Driver competition by a person who obviously enjoys travelling to work and back home with him on buses on routes 5 and 2. He and his boss, MIT.BUS Managing Director Mathias Carl, attended the award ceremony in Berlin on 6 November.
Enver Dar's open, engaging and friendly manner brought him to Berlin. In fact, he regularly greets his passengers with a "little chat". However, he doesn't leave it at the classic small talk trivia, but usually responds to the situation and his counterpart. For example, he asked the person who suggested him whether they had already read a particular book. People in wheelchairs never have to wait for him to extend the ramp. And on a full bus with many, sometimes stressed passengers, he lightens the situation with a suitable joke or simply a smile. Basically, the last sentence in the letter of application for Enver Dar says everything you need to know: "Ride with Mr Enver and you'll understand me."
Incidentally, several people share the opinion that Enver Dar should be voted favourite bus driver. When asked about his name and the associated announcement that he would be put forward for the competition, he initially reacted cautiously. But of course other passengers also noticed. They spontaneously applauded. And thus confirmed the assessment. This is also evident from the letter. The full text is published on the competition website: www.lieblingsbusfahrerin.de/lb/2024
Recognising everyday heroes and heroines
The Favourite Bus Driver 2024 competition is backed by the passenger association Pro Bahn, DB Regio, the Federal Association of German Bus Companies and the Association of German Transport Companies. The initiators want to set an example and bring the approximately 100,000 bus drivers who reliably and responsibly carry out their duties in this country out of the usually little-noticed normality for a moment and into the public eye. In order to recognise their performance appropriately.
This is how it works: Until 1 June 2024, passengers were able to describe personal experiences with their favourite drivers and thus nominate them for the award. An expert jury, made up of representatives from the industry and politics, selects the most remarkable stories and then chooses the favourite bus drivers. "The competition is both thanks and recognition for all those who get behind the wheel every day, ensure that people get from A to B safely and thus provide an indispensable service to society," says Mathias Carl.
Many people see it the same way. After all, there is no other way to explain why more than 2,300 passengers took part in this second edition of the competition. "The fact that so many took the trouble to write down their story and fill out an online form is remarkable. And proves that many people are well aware of the achievements of bus drivers," summarises Mathias Carl.
After the competition is before the competition
Germany's favourite bus drivers will once again be honoured in 2025. The bus stories, on the basis of which a jury will once again decide, can be submitted via the online form until the end of May: www.lieblingsbusfahrerin.de