EKA Mobility, CRUT, Travel Time and GIZ Collaborate to Train Skilled Women E-Bus Drivers

EKA Mobility, one of India’s fastest-growing commercial electric vehicle (EV) & technology companies, has successfully completed a two-week E-Bus Driver Skill Development Program for 20 women drivers from Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT).

The initiative was supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) through its CSR framework and carried out by Travel Time at EKA Mobility’s manufacturing facility located in Chakan, Pune.

The project is part of CRUT’s larger effort to increase the number of women in its operational fleet while also supporting the state’s transition to electric public transport. With electric buses requiring specialist technical knowledge and operational handling, the structured training program was developed to provide participants with hands-on driving experience, technical awareness of EV systems, and professional expertise for daily passenger operations.

Designed as a structured learning experience, the two-week program combined practical driving sessions on EKA e-buses with technical modules led by company’s engineers and immersive factory exposure. Participants were trained in regenerative braking, heavy vehicle manoeuvring, EV control systems, start-up and shutdown procedures, and real-world driving simulations. The curriculum also covered battery systems, energy management, charging protocols, high-voltage safety practices, and daily inspection requirements to ensure secure and efficient operations.

Safety remained a central focus throughout the training. Sessions included defensive driving techniques, road safety regulations, passenger safety management, and emergency response procedures. Soft skills modules on communication, customer service, confidence-building, and professional conduct further prepared participants for public-facing roles.

Commenting on the initiative, Ms. Ritika Mehta, Group President, EKA Mobility, said, “At EKA Mobility, we believe that the future of mobility must be both sustainable and inclusive.  This program goes beyond technical training; it is about generating opportunities, instilling confidence, and preparing women to lead the future generation of public transportation. We are happy to support CRUT’s goal and help Odisha make the transition to clean and equitable mobility.”

During a guided tour of EKA Mobility’s assembly lines, quality testing facilities, and charging infrastructure, participants gained firsthand insight into how electric buses are manufactured and maintained — strengthening their technical understanding and familiarity with the vehicles they will operate. All 20 participants successfully completed the program, demonstrating strong operational readiness and confidence to join CRUT’s electric bus fleet.

Mr. Vivek Kalkar, Director of Travel Time said, “This program was carefully structured to ensure that participants were not only trained to operate electric buses but were fully prepared for the responsibilities of public transport driving. Through intensive on-road practice, safety drills, and scenario-based learning, we focused on building strong driving discipline, hazard awareness, and passenger-first thinking. The result is a group of women drivers who are operationally ready and equipped to contribute to safer, more dependable city bus services from day one.”

The initiative not only develops a pipeline of female EV drivers but also promotes economic empowerment and gender diversity in Odisha’s transportation industry.

In order to integrate gender inclusion with clean mobility goals, the initiative underlines the increasing cooperation between industry and public transportation authorities. The program creates a replicable model for strengthening India’s EV workforce and creating new career paths for women in the mobility industry by fusing technical skilling with sustainable transport goals.