Nurse Akhila is on duty...driving her own bus

KANNUR: The bus route is now under the control of a nurse who used to care for patients by administering injections and medicines at Thaliparamb Cooperative Hospital. Thirty-two-year-old Akhila has left her nursing job to become a bus driver, a profession she pursued independently. Akhila will be at the helm of the Voyager bus serving the Alakkode-Taliparambu-Kannur route starting at 6 am. The bus service operates in front of the hospital where she used to work and it has surprised the patients she once cared for.

Akhila had a passion for nursing since childhood. After completing her B.Sc in Bangalore, she worked as a nurse at Thaliparambu Hospital for a year. Six months ago, she and her husband, Soubin who is a merchant navy officer bought a new bus together. When she expressed her desire to become a bus driver, her husband fully supported her. Since she already had a light vehicle license, she was able to quickly obtain a heavy vehicle license.

Akhila drives 160 km from the Alakode Murikadavu-Manakadavu road to Thaliparambu and back to Alakkode. Another driver manages the service from Thaliparambu to Kannur and back. Akhila plans to expand her route to Kannur soon. Her first trip starts at six in the morning and concludes at 6.30 pm.