Aleksandr Lyushakov, who lives in Kara-Balta, has an impressive driving experience of 57 years.
He was born in 1950 in Kemerovo and received professional driver training as a class 3 driver, working with various types of transport.
“My career began in the army. In 1968, I studied in Leningrad and became a class 1 driver. Then I served in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, where I was involved in the delivery of missiles, ammunition, and food supplies,” he recalls.
After returning home from service, Aleksandr met his future wife Olga, a medical institute student. Later, the young couple moved to Kyrgyzstan.
“In Bishkek, I worked as a driver for the late Minister of Health of the KR, Shayloobek Niyazov, and the honored doctor of the KR, Boris Shapiro, as well as for other high-ranking officials,” says Lyushakov.
Since 1989, the family settled permanently in Kara-Balta, where he continued his career. He initially worked in private companies and soon received an offer to become the personal driver of the city mayor.
He held this position for over 15 years, during which five mayors changed. “Each of them was an interesting personality, and I helped them solve important tasks for our city,” he adds.
In Lyushakov's opinion, working as a driver for high-ranking officials requires certain qualities.
“A driver must not only be a qualified specialist but also disciplined, punctual, able to maintain a conversation, and keep the car in perfect condition,” explains Aleksandr.
Even after decades, he continues to work as a driver at one of the private enterprises in Kara-Balta.
- The Day of the Automobile and Urban Passenger Transport Worker, also known as Driver's Day, is celebrated on the last Sunday of October. In 2025, this holiday falls on October 26.
