Who is Priyanka Sharma? UP’s first female government bus driver

Priyanka Sharma overcame several obstacles to become the first government bus driver in the state.

Most women still choose to avoid taking buses because they believe they are more likely to experience sexual harassment there in comparison with alternate modes of transportation.

Likewise, it is more challenging for women to work on buses. However, Priyanka Sharma from Uttar Pradesh overcame all challenges to pursue a profession that is chosen by a small number of women worldwide.


Priyanka Sharma, one of the 26 female bus drivers hired by Uttar Pradesh's State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC), overcame several challenges to become the state's first government-employed woman bus driver.

Speaking to ANI about her challenges, Priyanka revealed that her husband's early death from heavy drinking left her with sole custody of their two children. She added that she had to shift to Delhi to explore better opportunities.

She revealed that she first got a job as a worker in a factory. However, after learning about the IRCTC's recruitment scheme, she enrolled as a driver.

As a result of this, she took a driving course and moved to Mumbai. She added that she traveled to different states like Bengal and Assam as a driver.

She also expressed her gratitude to Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing female drivers with job chances.

According to reports, she had submitted a form in 2020. She then successfully completed her training in May and was assigned in September.

According to representatives of the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC), when the state government decided to launch all-female "pink buses" a few years ago, there were no female bus drivers at the time. That was the starting point of the entire recruitment drive.

FAQs:

1- How did Priyanka Sharma’s husband die?
Priyanka Sharma’s husband died after both of his kidneys failed.

2- Does Priyanka Sharma have any children?
Priyanka Sharma has two children.