Women drivers to operate Ama Buses in Bhubaneswar soon: Officials

Bhubaneswar: Women drivers will helm the steering wheel on Ama Buses operated by Capital Region Urban Transport (Crut) soon, officials said.As part of the initiative, 20 women with valid heavy motor vehicle licences were selected for advanced training in Pune. They completed the course and returned to Odisha recently, to help Crut’s effort to make public transport more gender-inclusive, official sources said.The programme was conducted from Feb 2 to 14 at a mobility plant in Pune, with sponsorship and technical support from German development agency GIZ. Training focused on electric bus operations, safety procedures, advanced driving techniques, and contemporary city bus systems, along with practical, hands-on sessions.Usha Padhee, additional chief secretary, housing and urban development department, said the trainees will undergo another 15 days of local driving practice and route familiarisation before being formally inducted. Following field training and assessment, they will be deployed as dedicated women crew to run Ama Bus services.Padhee said the initiative goes beyond skill building, aiming to create leadership opportunities, ensure dignity at work, and expand equal access to public service roles. She added that the new drivers are expected to motivate more women to join the sector.The department said the programme supports the govt’s goal of building a safer, more inclusive and future-ready urban mobility system, while also opening up sustainable livelihood options for women in public transport.