Empowering India's E-Bus Transition: UITP Academy Hosts Advanced Training in New Delhi under TUMI E-Bus Mission

Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI) is the leading global implementation initiative on sustainable mobility formed through the union of several prestigious partners across the world, with the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) being one of them. Supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ in collaboration with the TUMI partners, the goal of the initiative is supporting climate-friendly, inclusive, safe and affordable mobility in cities for the benefit of people and the environment, with a view of sustainable future. By offering technical advice and facilitating mutual exchange of knowledge, the TUMI E-Bus Mission has been supporting cities in the Global South to prepare for the implementation of e-buses for creation of greener and more liveable cities.

UITP Academy organised a training programme on ‘Electric Bus Operations and Human Resources and Competence Management’ with the support of GIZ and BMZ on 22-23 April 2025 in New Delhi, India. The training programme witnessed 35 trainees from 18 organisations, including 15 public transport organisations from the TUMI and Sustainable Urban Mobility – Air Quality, Climate Action and Accessibility (SUM-ACA) partner cities in India. The two-day training programme comprised sessions taken by three international and two domestic trainers and included a technical visit to an electric bus depot in Delhi.

The training programme aimed at providing a comprehensive overview of the current state and strategic evolution of electric bus deployment in urban public transport systems. It compiles insights from global experts and city case studies from India, reflecting both the technological and human capital dimensions essential for a successful energy transition in the public transport sector.

Session 1 taken by David Yorke, Independent Consultant, Future Zero Emission, United Kingdom, introduced the policy frameworks and city strategies driving the adoption of electric buses, with a particular emphasis on the Clean Vehicles Directive and international policy best practices. The session outlined key deployment challenges including high upfront costs, infrastructure planning, energy sector coordination, and procurement complexities.

In the Session 2, David Yorke offered a detailed review of the vehicles, charging infrastructure, and auxiliary technologies. It examined various vehicle types—battery electric, plug-in hybrid, trolley, and fuel cell—along with current market offerings and technological innovations. Infrastructure costs, driveline components, and IT system integration were also discussed, reflecting the complexity of electrification at scale.

Ramachandran R., IAS, Managing Director, Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) showcased the case of the Indian city Bengaluru by sharing his insights on practical implementation of electric buses in a major urban setting like Bengaluru by providing lessons on infrastructure, market adaptation, and operational planning.

David Yorke in Session 3 focused on occupational health and safety (OHS) for electric bus maintenance staff. The session addressed safety fundamentals, risk reduction, use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and ways of fostering a safer working environment.

Session 4 was taken by Slobodan Misanovic, Manager for Energy Efficiency Vehicles, City Public Transport Company of Belgrade, Serbia, highlighted the impact of driving behaviour on electric bus energy performance, and ways of analysing how terrain, passenger load, and auxiliary systems affect energy consumption. The session introduced eco-driving techniques and battery sizing considerations based on real-world and test environment data.

In Session 5, taken by David Yorke and Slobodan Misanovic, focussed on workforce planning and capacity building for electric bus maintenance. With e-bus systems fundamentally different from conventional buses, the session underscored the need for new maintenance frameworks and training strategies to upskill existing teams or onboard new talent.

A Shrinivas Rao, Assistant General Manager (TE), Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking presented the case of the Indian city Mumbai, highlighting initiatives taken by BEST for workforce planning, workshop maintenance, training requirements of the staff, and daily maintenance checklist followed by the organisation to ensure seamless commuting experience of the passengers.

Session 6 taken by Joe Kenny, Lead Consultant Kenstone Consulting, Ireland, discussed the evolving role of Human Resource Management (HRM) in public transportation. It emphasised recruitment, diversity, employee well-being, and the role of HR in fostering an inclusive and resilient workforce.

In Session 7, he presented a Competence Management Framework that helps in identifying essential skills, aligns workforce capabilities with organisational needs, and use of tools such as competence matrices and personality assessments to drive team efficiency and professional development.

Finally, in Session 8, Joe Kenny delved into training and upskilling strategies, detailing how to design effective learning programmes, balance technical and soft skills, and implement Personal Development Plans (PDPs). The session also addressed methods for measuring training effectiveness to ensure sustainable workforce growth.

Thus, the classroom sessions highlighted the interconnected nature of technology, infrastructure, policy, and workforce development in transitioning urban transport systems to zero-emission operations. The insights and case studies offered practical guidance for city leaders, transit agencies, and industry stakeholders aiming to implement scalable, sustainable electric bus solutions in the different cities of the country.

The training programme concluded with a Technical Visit to the e-bus depot of Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) Limited at Burari, Delhi. The depot houses 161 e-buses manufactured by JBM Group and 32 charging stations. These 37-seater, wheelchair accessible, AC electric buses ply on 15 intracity routes. The participants were given an overview of the features of the e-buses, depot layout, charging infrastructure at the depot, functioning of the workshop area including the automatic vehicle washing system, the system of scheduling, signages and safety measures taken to ensure passenger safety. The participants were also briefed about the frequency and types of mandatory training programmes conducted for the crew.

The highly engaging two-day training programme served as a platform for exchange of knowledge and ideas.