Pune:
EKA Mobility, one of India's fastest-growing commercial electric vehicle
(EV) & technology company, 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, 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.