Ola, Maruti Suzuki Sign MoU to Train 40,000 Aspiring Drivers

The country's largest car maker Maruti Suzuki India has joined hands with taxi aggregator Ola to train aspiring drivers-partners.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two, the exercise aims to benefit 40,000 individuals/ Ola drivers-partners in safe driving over a period of three years, Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) said in a statement.

The Maruti Ola Training Program will create entrepreneurship opportunities for aspiring drivers-partners as well as make urban transportation safe, reliable and convenient, it added.

The pilot phase of the initiative will be rolled out in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and NCR. The driving training programme will be gradually rolled out in Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Pune.

Commenting on the association, MSI Executive Director, Marketing & Sales R S Kalsi said, "We are glad that through this partnership with Ola, we will be able to expand quality driving training while creating opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship."

He further said, "We target to train 40,000 individuals over 3 years."

Pranay Jivrajka, Chief Operating Officer, Ola said the partnership falls in line with Ola's goal of skilling 5 million drivers in the next 5 years and continue to build a conducive ecosystem for them to grow as entrepreneurs.

"We are delighted to work with a trusted Indian brand like Maruti to create a unique solution to skill tens of thousands of aspiring driver-entrepreneurs realize their dreams," he added.

According to the MoU, Maruti Suzuki would help the individuals/ Ola drivers-partners obtain commercial license and also assist in availing vehicle financing to purchase their own car, after the completion of their course.

Ola will also provide qualified leads of potential drivers-partners to Maruti Suzuki for facilitating them with commercial driving training.

All the aspiring drivers will undergo a 30-day driving training which includes a pre and post assessment tests, to gauge the driving skills of these individuals, the statement added.