EKA Mobility, CRUT Partner to Train 20 Women as Skilled E-Bus Drivers in Pune

EKA Mobility has completed a two-week E-Bus Driver Skill Development Programme for 20 women drivers from Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT).

The initiative, supported by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) under its CSR framework, was conducted by Travel Time at EKA Mobility’s manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune.

The programme forms part of CRUT’s broader strategy to increase women’s participation in its operational fleet while accelerating Odisha’s transition to electric public transport.

Technical and Practical Skill Development

The structured training combined classroom learning with hands-on driving sessions on EKA’s electric buses.

Participants received immersive exposure to EV systems, including regenerative braking, heavy vehicle manoeuvring, start-up and shutdown procedures, and real-world driving simulations.

Technical modules covered battery systems, energy management, charging protocols, EV control systems, high-voltage safety practices, and daily inspection standards to ensure safe and efficient operations.

A guided tour of EKA Mobility’s assembly lines and quality testing facilities further strengthened the drivers’ understanding of electric bus manufacturing and maintenance processes.

TGSRTC to Add 2800 electric buses Convert 240 Diesel Buses

Strong Focus on Safety and Soft Skills

Safety remained central to the programme. Women drivers were trained in defensive driving techniques, road safety regulations, passenger management, and emergency response procedures.

In addition to technical expertise, the curriculum included soft skills training focused on communication, customer service, professional conduct, and confidence-building, preparing participants for public-facing roles in city transport services.

All 20 women completed the programme, demonstrating operational readiness to join CRUT’s electric bus fleet.

Promoting Clean and Inclusive Mobility

The collaboration highlights the growing partnership between industry and public transport authorities to integrate gender inclusion with clean mobility goals.

By building a skilled pipeline of women EV drivers, the initiative supports economic empowerment while advancing sustainable transport objectives.

The programme also establishes a replicable model for strengthening India’s electric vehicle workforce, combining technical skilling with inclusive employment opportunities in the rapidly evolving mobility sector.