29 female cab drivers completed a 90-hour EV cab operation bridge course on 11 December, Monday. This significant step was taken to have at least 30 per cent of e-cab services driven by women in West Bengal. The West Bengal State Council of Technical & Vocational Education and Skill Development has developed a cab driver's training curriculum.
The state, in partnership with the UK's ASPIRE, Acceleration Smart Power and Renewable Energy in India team, launched a unique program that aims to boost women's participation in the EV cab sector. The program concentrates on building an experienced workforce and is following the West Bengal Electric Vehicle Policy 2021. The airport and Howrah station are two important transportation hubs where the trained female taxi drivers will be stationed. The chief operating officer and co-founder of SnapE, India's first electric taxi service, stated, "They will join the current force of 40 women cab drivers in the city."
As a part of the "Utkarsh Bangla" flagship program, Snap-E Cabs and the NPTC Group of Colleges have collaborated to conduct the training. The maintenance of e-cabs and polishing the UK expertise operation of the EV drivers are the two major goals of this partnership.
Plans for the establishment of a Future Mobility Lab and an Intelligent Mobility Skill Center within a government polytechnic in Bengal are also included in the program.
The British deputy high commissioner in Kolkata, Andrew Fleming, stated that cooperative efforts are required for cleaner transportation. To advance women's empowerment and sustainable mobility, a variety of stakeholders have united.
"Approximately 500 women drivers will be trained and engaged by Snap-E Cabs by 2024," stated Saequa Monazza, CAO-WBSCTVESD, Department of Technical Education, Training & Skill Development, Bengal.
"The collaboration is a transformative journey towards a more sustainable and equitable future," stated James Llewellyn, director of NPTC Group of Colleges, UK. He continued, that by educating women in the EV industry, the initiative hopes to empower communities, foster change, impart skills, and create a more resilient and inclusive world.
