LocationsAuthor: Ikhtiyor Abdurakhmanov
Opening the Roads: The Story of Saodat Shermatova’s Journey to the Driver’s Seat
March 5, 2025
© UNDP Uzbekistan
The emergence of women bus drivers on Uzbekistan’s roads is not just a novelty—it is a sign of significant societal change. In the past, women were restricted from driving buses and were only allowed to operate smaller vehicles. However, despite these limitations, there have always been individuals who refused to give up on their dreams and pursued their goals with perseverance.
One such individual is Saodat Shermatova. Since childhood, she has been passionate about automobiles—the speed, the roads, and the thrill of being behind the wheel. This passion led her on the path to becoming a bus driver.
Driving a bus is not just about steering a vehicle; it also means being responsible for passengers’ safety. Saodat starts her day at dawn, fully aware of this responsibility. At first, things were not easy. Many passengers were surprised to see a woman bus driver, while others looked at her with skepticism. But over time, their perceptions changed, and their attitudes warmed.
As she smoothly navigates the city streets in her electric bus, Saodat recalls the moment that changed her life. One day, she received a call from "Toshshahartransxizmat". That call became a turning point in her career. She enrolled in a specialized training course for bus driving and passed the required exams. Within a few months, she mastered not only the technical aspects of operating a bus but also the art of passenger communication and emergency response. Soon after, she embarked on her first official route with passengers.
"Driving a bus was my dream. Now, I am happy to serve people. Some passengers approach me just to say thank you, while others express their admiration with a thumbs-up and a big smile," Saodat says with pride.
© UNDP Uzbekistan
The Government of Uzbekistan, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and with financial support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), launched the project "Tashkent – Accelerating Investments in Low-Carbon Transport." One of the key objectives of the project is to modernize urban transport, introduce environmentally friendly buses, and—most importantly—develop a gender-inclusive strategy.
Research conducted within the project revealed that the number of women working in large bus depots was extremely low, and driver and technical positions were almost exclusively held by men. The main reason for this was a law passed in 2018, which restricted women to operating only small-capacity vehicles. This restriction contradicted the principles of gender equality. Therefore, within the framework of the project, efforts were initiated to amend this law.
Saodat became part of this transformation. Her dream, hard work, and determination—along with the stories of many other women in similar situations—were finally heard. The government revisited the issue and, on February 12, 2024, made a landmark decision. From that moment on, women were granted the right to drive large buses and even trucks.
For Saodat, driving a bus was not just a job—it was a way of life. On days when she was not on the road, she found herself missing the experience of being behind the wheel. But her passion for driving was not just for herself.
"If one day, a woman comes up to me and says, ‘I also want to drive a bus,’ I will do everything I can to help her. I pursued this goal not just for myself, but for all women. Now, they have the same opportunities!" she declares.
Indeed, Saodat’s dream has inspired many others. The number of women enrolling in driving schools has increased. They are breaking the stereotypes that certain jobs are "only for men."
Roads, movement, steering wheels, speed—these are not just external elements; they are an inseparable part of life. Women, too, have the right to leave their mark on these roads.
Saodat has realized that dreams have no limits. Her dream of driving a bus has come true, and now, deep in her heart, a new aspiration is taking shape—to one day drive intercity buses or perhaps even a train!
The roads of life are endless, and as long as one strives, dreams will always come true.
The "Tashkent – Accelerating Investments in Low-Carbon Transport" project is being implemented by the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with financial support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). One of the project’s main objectives is to introduce an electric bus fleet and enhance the institutional framework for green urban transport corridors. Additionally, the project aims to increase the participation of women in electric bus operations and create opportunities for women to be employed as electric bus drivers.
