A glimpse into UITP India’s Training Programme on Emerging Practices in Electric Bus Management and Sustainable Operations

Under its research project on ‘Advancing Electric Buses in India’, UITP India organised a two-day training programme on ‘Emerging Practices in Electric Bus Management and Sustainable Operations’ with the support of Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) on 6-7 March 2025 in Bengaluru. The training programme witnessed 47 participants from 18 organisations, including 12 public transport authorities from different parts of India.  Insights on the latest trends and best practices in the electric bus ecosystem were provided by two international and four national trainers. Some of the topical issues that were covered during the training include Sustainable Planning and Operations Optimisation, Financial Planning Strategy for E-Bus, Charging and Battery Management for E-Buses, Manpower Planning and Training, and Digitalisation and Data-driven Approaches in Planning E-Buses.

The training commenced with the welcome address by Ms Rupa Nandy, Head of UITP India, followed by the inaugural address by Mr Prabhakar Reddy, Chief Traffic Manager – Operations, BMTC. The aim of the training programme was to serve as a platform for capacity building and exchange of knowledge on the emerging practices in the contemporary times for efficient and effective management of electric buses (e-buses). The technical sessions highlighted trending best practices both at the international and domestic level, followed by a round of question and answer.

Mr Arnd Bätzner- Founder, Baetzner Metropolitan, Switzerland took the sessions on Sustainable Planning and Operations Optimisation, and Financial Planning Strategy for E-Bus, presenting the international best practices along with giving an overview of the emerging trend of deploying trolley buses.  Mr A Shrinivas Rao, Assistant General Manager (TE), Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) shared the case of Mumbai’s strategy for Sustainable Planning and Operations Optimisation, and Financial Planning Strategy for E-Bus, highlighting on the development of renewable energy infrastructure plans of BEST.

Mr Diego Fuentes, Planning Manager, Metbus, Chile presented the operator’s perspective on Charging and Battery Performance Monitoring, and Role of Training and Manpower Management in E-Bus. To share the domestic perspectives, Mr Prashant Kolekar, Assistant Electrical Engineer, Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) shared the challenges and lessons learned in managing e-bus charging infrastructure as an Authority; while Mr C.K. Goyal, President-Operations, PMI Electro Mobility Solutions Private Limited shared his insights on Charging Infrastructure and Manpower Management from the perspective of an OEM operating in India.

The session on Digitalisation and Data-driven Approaches in Planning E-Buses witnessed Mr Kiran Deshmukh, Worldline sharing his insights on the emerging trends in Digital Ticketing in the e-bus industry. The session also witnessed a presentation by Ms Anindita Ghosh, Senior Researcher and Ms Divyanka Dhok, Researcher from the UITP India team presenting on the research activities undertaken by UITP India under the project on ‘Advancing Electric Buses in India’, and how UITP India is assisting the three cities of Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Thiruvananthapuram in strategizing deployment of e-buses in the cities with optimum utilisation of resources to better serve the citizens.

The training programme included a fun group activity that was moderated by the UITP India team. The group activity served as a platform for participants from different organisations to get together and brainstorm on the different scenarios given to them. Based on the lessons learned during the technical sessions, the participants presented the best solution to the problem statement that was given to each group. Through this group activity, the participants got an opportunity to devise managerial solutions to the problem they were given to solve, by closely working with their peer from different organisations.

The training programme concluded on Day 2 with a technical visit to BMTC Central Office, followed by BMTC Depot 3. At the BMTC Central Office, Director (S & V), BMTC chaired the session, giving an overview of the organisation’s functioning. The interactive session witnessed sharing of unique best practices by the different State Transport Undertakings (STUs) who participated in the training programme. During the visit to the depot, the Depot Manager and a representative from the OEM/Operator briefed the participants about the depot layout, safety measures undertaken, charging infrastructure, and daily operations and maintenance protocols followed. The participants shared their insights on how their respective depots function, therefore creating an ideal platform for exchange of knowledge.

The highly engaging two-day training programme concluded with receiving positive feedback from the participants along with suggested topics recommended for upcoming trainings.