"It is a pride!" This Tuesday morning, Kassé Niakaté, 33, will be in the official gallery for the July 14 ceremonies. This bus driver from Montfermeil (Seine-Saint-Denis) was chosen to represent these professions who did not stop working during confinement.
"My manager at Keolis came to ask me if I was interested in taking part in the July 14 parade, and two weeks later I was told that I was being held," said Kasse.
"I was also chosen because my wife is a nurse"
If he does not parade properly speaking, he will however be in the spotlight, like dozens of other professionals, in this somewhat special 2020 ceremony. But Kassé plays it modest, also putting forward his companion.
"I was also chosen because my wife is a nurse at the Montfermeil hospital and she has not stopped working either," he said. This complicated the daily organization for the care of their 6 year old daughter. "My wife worked during the day, and when she returned around 8:30 p.m., I left for Roissy," he explains.
Because it is from the airport platform that Kassé Niakaté makes his journeys, at night, from 9 pm to 6 am, 5 days a week. He works for Filéo, the on-demand transport service developed by Keolis for the airport. Customers can book an hour before a trip using Filéo. And, at the wheel of his bus, Kassé transports them on routes connecting the airport to Sarcelles, Villiers-le-Bel, Survilliers or Goussainville.
Transport of cleaning women, nurses ...
"During confinement, I transported around 15 clients every night, instead of the usual 60," he explains. Only terminal 2 was open. But there were still people to transport: security guards, cleaning women, garbage collectors ... And we also adapted, by not only transporting people to Roissy. We have set up routes to hospitals. I carried some nurses too ”
What does it feel like when you are almost alone or working while the country is hiding at home? "A little fear necessarily," he admits. But we were careful. Our management put a lot of resources: gel, masks, gloves, customers were far away, they climbed from behind. I didn't get the Covid. "
Kasse's little family also had to change their habits. “During the day, I took care of my daughter. But I didn't hug her. She understood, it had become a game. ”
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All his efforts will be hailed by the country for July 14. "It is a great honor," repeats Kasse, who once again does not want to put himself forward: "I will be there especially to represent all my colleagues," he smiles.
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