Bus, tram, and trolleybus conductors keep vanishing from St. Petersburg streets. Their numbers fell by half at Passazhiravtotrans since 2019 and dropped almost three times at Gorelektrotrans. Some moved to controller jobs, others left completely as the system changed.
These workers meant more than ticket sellers to city residents. They became the heart of each ride, setting the mood with their calls to pay fares and helping confused passengers find stops. They created small moments of human contact amid the lonely rush of city life. People knew them as strict but fair figures who watched over their vehicles with careful eyes.
St. Petersburg held onto conductors longer than most places. Moscow lost them years ago, as did many European capitals. Meeting one in recent years felt like seeing living history, a special part of local culture still doing its daily job. This made city transport feel unique compared to other places.
The shift to electronic systems brings more automation but less personal interaction. Inspectors who check tickets occasionally cannot replace the familiar presence of conductors provided every day. Computer programs may try to create virtual conductors, but they miss the human touch these workers brought to each journey.
Riders notice something missing when they step into empty vehicles with only blinking validators to greet them. The familiar voices asking for tickets have faded away. Another connection to the less automated past breaks down as the city moves forward. People adapt to these changes but feel nostalgic for what they lost.
These workers meant more than ticket sellers to city residents. They became the heart of each ride, setting the mood with their calls to pay fares and helping confused passengers find stops. They created small moments of human contact amid the lonely rush of city life. People knew them as strict but fair figures who watched over their vehicles with careful eyes.
St. Petersburg held onto conductors longer than most places. Moscow lost them years ago, as did many European capitals. Meeting one in recent years felt like seeing living history, a special part of local culture still doing its daily job. This made city transport feel unique compared to other places.
The shift to electronic systems brings more automation but less personal interaction. Inspectors who check tickets occasionally cannot replace the familiar presence of conductors provided every day. Computer programs may try to create virtual conductors, but they miss the human touch these workers brought to each journey.
Riders notice something missing when they step into empty vehicles with only blinking validators to greet them. The familiar voices asking for tickets have faded away. Another connection to the less automated past breaks down as the city moves forward. People adapt to these changes but feel nostalgic for what they lost.
