Rotterdam's unsung hero: The alderman's driver who keeps the city running
Meet Vladimir Vukasovic, a municipal driver in Rotterdam whose role goes beyond transportation. He ensures aldermen arrive safely and on time, often working 24/7 during duty weeks, while maintaining confidentiality and composure in high-pressure situations.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Vladimir Vukasovic |
| Role | Driver for Rotterdam’s municipal executive |
| Work Schedule | One week on (24/7 standby), one week off |
| Vehicle | Fully electric BMW i5 (mobile office) |
| Safety Responsibility | Ensures aldermen’s safety, scans surroundings, coordinates with police |
| Years of Service | 25 years with the municipality (10 as a driver) |
| Previous Role | Host at city hall and usher for Mayor Opstelten |
| Personal Background | Fled war in Serbia at age 20, now a Rotterdam resident |
The Municipality of Rotterdam employs drivers like Vladimir to support its executive board, ensuring aldermen and mayors can travel efficiently and securely. These drivers play a critical role in maintaining the confidentiality and safety of municipal operations, enabling local governance to function smoothly.
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Vladimir, the man behind the wheel
When aldermen are on their way to important meetings, there’s someone in the front seat who looks beyond just the road ahead. A driver who doesn’t just get from A to B, but also thinks ahead, remains calm at all times, and can keep a secret. Vladimir Vukasovic is one of the drivers for Rotterdam’s municipal executive. “Only when I’ve dropped the alderman off at home do I go home myself.”
Vladimir’s work follows a fixed rhythm: one week on, one week off. During his duty week, he’s on standby 24 hours a day. “Only when I’ve dropped the alderman off at home do I go home myself. But even then, my job isn’t done. In case of an emergency, I have to arrive within 30 minutes. That means no private appointments, no drinks, and not even eating at home all week. But the following week is for my wife and two daughters. Then I make up for everything at home,” Vladimir laughs.
The mobile office
Recently, the drivers have been using fully electric BMW i5 models. A beautiful, comfortable car, but above all, a mobile office. Even in heavy city traffic, Vladimir remains composed. “Peace in the car is important. People work in the back. If I were to brake suddenly, the alderman’s laptop would end up on the dashboard. Sensitive and important topics are also discussed in the car. Our motto is: hear, see, and always remain silent. I don’t even talk about it at home.”
Watch the video below featuring Vladimir. The text continues below the video.
Three navigation systems
Vladimir meticulously prepares every trip. That starts the evening before. “As soon as I receive the agenda, my work begins. I check all addresses and routes. What’s the best way to drive? Are there roadworks along the way? How heavy is the traffic? I use three navigation systems, but I don’t blindly trust them. Sometimes I go and check the location a day earlier to see exactly where the alderman needs to be.”
The bodyguard
“I’m not a bodyguard, but I am responsible for the alderman’s safety,” Vladimir continues. “Our task is to get the alderman to their destination quickly, comfortably, and safely. That’s why I continuously scan the surroundings. Is that car following us for a while? Where’s the nearest hospital? You have to be prepared for everything. If we’re going, for example, to an information evening with angry residents, I call the police in advance. Where can I stop safely? Are you there? And when I let the alderman out of the car, I always shield them. That’s standard procedure.”
Rammed
That safety comes first became clear three years ago when Vladimir’s car was rammed by a van being pursued by the police at Oostplein. “We were hit full-on and ended up at least 10 meters away. My first thought? Is the alderman okay? Fortunately, he and I were both unharmed, but we were certainly shaken. At a moment like that, you don’t know if it was an accident or a targeted act. Staying calm is crucial.”
The foreign boy
Vladimir: “I’m proud of my work. I drive the people who make the city better and more beautiful. They make important decisions, solve problems for Rotterdam residents, and beautify the city with construction projects. When we pass a building where I once drove an alderman to lay the first pile, I think: I’ve also contributed a small stone to that.” Sometimes Vladimir drives not for an alderman, but for the mayor. That’s an exception, because the mayor has their own dedicated driver. Vladimir: “The eight aldermen share the other four drivers. But of course, the mayor’s driver is sometimes off, and then it’s my honor.”
A tremendous honor
Vladimir has been with the municipality for a long time. Twenty-five years ago, he started as a host at the city hall and was also the usher for Mayor Opstelten. Ten years ago, he was asked to train as a driver for the executive board. “That was such a tremendous honor. The trust they placed in me—and still do—means everything to me.”
Up
For his work, Vladimir glides silently in a high-tech car with everything you could want. And in his free time? “In my spare time, I happily hop into my Volkswagen Up. No heated seats, no ambient lighting—just turn the key and go. It’s so easy to park that little car in the city, even in spots where I’d have to think twice with the BMW, haha.”
Grateful
“I’m so incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given in the Netherlands. At 20, I came here after fleeing the war in Serbia with my parents and sister. That a foreign boy like me could build such a beautiful life in this wonderful country—it fills me with immense gratitude. With my lovely wife, two amazing daughters, a home in the center of Rotterdam, I’m the happiest man on earth. And of course, I can’t forget my fantastic job. Yes, I have the best job in the world.”