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 program for 20 women from Odisha. The initiative is designed to rapidly include women drivers in India’s expanding electric public transport ecosystem.
The training was conducted at EKA Mobility’s manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune with financial assistance from GIZ under the CSR framework. This program aligns with CRUT’s larger objective of increasing female participation in its operational fleet while supporting Odisha’s transition to electric mobility.
Extensive curriculum and practical experience
The program combined practical driving sessions on EKA’s electric buses with classroom-based technical modules led by the company’s engineering team. The participants also visited assembly lines, quality testing units and charging infrastructure to gain insight into end-to-end EV bus operations.
The 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 optimization 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 that drivers are prepared for the public-facing responsibilities of city bus services.
Operational Readiness and Industry Impact
All 20 participants successfully completed the program and were assessed as operationally ready to join CRUT’s electric bus fleet. Organizers describe the initiative as a scalable model that links skills development with sustainable mobility goals while creating meaningful career pathways for women in the transportation sector.
Ritika Mehta, Group President, EKA Mobility, said the program reflects the company’s belief that sustainable mobility must also be inclusive, emphasizing the importance of building confidence and expanding opportunities for women in public transport.
Vivek Kalkar, Director, Travel Time, highlighted the structured approach of the programme, noting that intensive on-road training, safety exercises and scenario-based learning have equipped participants with strong driving discipline, hazard awareness and passenger-centric service capabilities.
This initiative is part of a broader effort by state and national stakeholders to promote gender inclusion along with the rapid expansion of electric mobility. CRUT, GIZ, EKA Mobility and Travel Time have indicated that the training framework can be adapted and replicated in other states and public transport operators in India.