For Paresh Patel Ranchhodbhai, driving a bus is more than a profession; it is a responsibility and, in his words, a service to God. Since joining Ahmedabad-based Aadinath Bulk Pvt. Ltd. in 2017, he has been driving buses under the Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS), carrying hundreds of passengers every day.
His routine begins with prayer and a careful inspection of the vehicle. Tyres, lights, bolts, brakes and other essentials are checked before he takes the wheel. For Paresh bhai, safety starts even before the bus leaves the depot. “I take this work as service to God. When passengers bless me and say, ‘May God keep you well,’ that happiness cannot be measured in money,” he says.
Calm Behind the Wheel
With more than two decades of driving experience, Paresh bhai has seen buses and technology evolve. He believes newer BS VI buses have made driving more comfortable, but technology can never replace the judgement and patience of a driver. “A good bus makes the driver’s work easier, but technology cannot drive safely on its own. The driver’s mind has to remain calm.”
That calmness is particularly important on busy AMTS routes, where large buses share the road with two-wheelers, cars and autorickshaws. Paresh bhai believes a professional driver must anticipate the mistakes of others rather than compete for road space.
His patience is especially visible when senior citizens board. He stops properly and gives them the time they need. To him, passengers are not just commuters; they are someone’s parents, children and family members. “For me, every passenger is important. An elderly person may take a little more time to board, but that is not a problem. We should have the patience to wait.”
Support Creates Responsibility
Paresh bhai speaks with equal warmth about Aadinath Bulk and its support for employees. Timely salaries, insurance and medical assistance, he says, give drivers confidence that their families are secure. “When the family feels secure, the driver can work with a peaceful mind,” he explains.
That support is part of a larger transformation at Aadinath Bulk. Established in 1996 as a furnace-oil transportation company, Under the AadiGo brand, its bus operations have grown into a mobility business with more than 375 buses across public transport, school mobility, staff transportation, premium intercity travel and cargo services. The company facilitates nearly one million passenger journeys every month and aims to reach 1,000 buses within two years.
For an expanding fleet, Paresh bhai believes the driver remains as important as the vehicle. “A company can provide a good bus, but ultimately it is the driver who has to protect the people sitting inside it.”
A Message for the Next Generation
For Paresh bhai, safety is a daily discipline. He follows procedures, avoids rash driving and strongly opposes driving under the influence. Prayer gives him confidence, but he knows responsibility rests with him. “I pray to God and then I drive carefully. Prayer gives me strength, but following the rules is my responsibility.”
His advice to young drivers is simple: respect the vehicle, respect passengers and never confuse speed with skill. “Do not think that reaching five minutes earlier is more important than someone’s life.”
For OEMs, fleet operators and society, his story carries a larger message. Technology can make mobility smarter and vehicles safer, but ultimately, every journey depends on the person behind the wheel. “When people get down from my bus safely and bless me, I feel I have done something good. That is the real reward of this work.”
