City’s 1st woman bus driver quits her job after MP’s ride

COIMBATORE: The city’s first woman bus driver M Sharmila quit her job at a private bus company after Lok Sabha member Kanimozhi Karunanidhi travelled in her bus on Friday. She alleged that the woman conductor of the bus disrespected the MP. “When I took the matter to the management, they supported her and so I quit my job.”
Sharmila, 24, from Thiruvalluvar Nagar at Vadavalli started as a driver with Vee Vee Transport Company in March this year. Since then she has become popular as commuters took photos and videos with her and posted them on social media. BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan too travelled in the bus and felicitated her last week.
Around 8.30am on Friday, Kanimozhi boarded the bus at Gandhipuram and travelled till the Peelamedu junction.
“A woman conductor who was appointed three days ago was on duty. She behaved in a rude manner by asking the MP to buy the ticket. The MP too bought a ticket. I advised the conductor not to behave in that manner. I had gone to the company’s office to explain the incident to owner Durai Kannan, but he did not support me.”
She also added that the owner accused her of bringing people to the bus to boost her popularity. “Already, I had informed the company manager about Kanimozhi mam’s visit. But he denied it,” said Sharmila.
Company owner Durai Kannan said Sharmila had quit her job. “The bus driver should not create a scene while an MP or MLA is travelling on the bus.”
Manager Raghu alleged that Sharmila opposed the move to appoint a woman conductor to the bus as her popularity would fade. “Sharmila was waiting for a situation to leave the job and used the incident to boost her popularity.”
Meanwhile, the issue went viral on social media. Kanimozhi and Vanathi Srinivasan contacted Sharmila over phone and promised her that they would help her get a job.