A collaborative initiative between EKA Mobility, Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and training partner Travel Time has successfully completed a two-week E-Bus Driver Skill Development Programme for 20 women from Odisha. The initiative is designed to fast-track the inclusion of women drivers into India’s expanding electric public transport ecosystem.
The training was conducted at EKA Mobility’s manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune, with financial backing from GIZ under its CSR framework. The programme aligns with CRUT’s larger objective of increasing female participation within its operational fleet while supporting Odisha’s transition to electric mobility.
Comprehensive Curriculum and Practical Exposure
The programme combined practical driving sessions on EKA’s electric buses with classroom-based technical modules led by the company’s engineering team. Participants also toured the assembly lines, quality testing units and charging infrastructure to gain end-to-end exposure to EV bus operations.
Training modules covered regenerative braking, heavy vehicle handling, EV control systems, battery management, charging protocols, high-voltage safety procedures, start-up and shutdown operations, energy optimisation, and daily vehicle inspection practices.
Safety remained a central focus, with sessions on defensive driving, road safety norms, passenger safety management and emergency response protocols. Soft skills training in communication, customer service and professional conduct ensured the drivers are prepared for the public-facing responsibilities of city bus services.
Operational Readiness and Industry Impact
All 20 participants successfully completed the programme and have been assessed as operationally ready to join CRUT’s electric bus fleet. Organisers describe the initiative as a scalable model that bridges skill development with sustainable mobility goals, while creating meaningful career pathways for women in the transport sector.
Ritika Mehta, Group President at EKA Mobility, said the programme reflects the company’s belief that sustainable mobility must also be inclusive, emphasising the importance of building confidence and expanding opportunities for women in public transportation.
Vivek Kalkar, Director at Travel Time, highlighted the programme’s structured approach, noting that intensive on-road training, safety drills and scenario-based learning have equipped participants with strong driving discipline, hazard awareness and passenger-centric service capabilities.
The initiative forms part of a broader push by state and national stakeholders to promote gender inclusion alongside the rapid expansion of electric mobility. CRUT, GIZ, EKA Mobility and Travel Time have indicated that the training framework could be adapted and replicated across other states and public transport operators in India.
