Women Drivers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 Cities: Driving Growth and Opportunities
In the bustling Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, women are breaking gender norms and taking the wheel for personal and professional requirements. This shift marks a changing landscape in the Indian automotive industry, specifically in the Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
In this blog, let us discuss the significance of women drivers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and how it fosters empowerment by breaking traditional ties.
The Changing Landscape of Women’s Mobility
Gender-inclusive mobility is a reality in 2025, as 25% of women have already embraced the full potential of micro-entrepreneurship through driving. Electric vehicles, or EVs, have brought a shift in the transportation market. Women are increasingly embracing driving as a profession and using vehicles for personal use, breaking stereotypes.
Since Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in India offer limited job opportunities for women, initiatives like this create new avenues for women to access economic independence.
Apart from creating social ripples and breaking traditions, it also enhances local economies, uplifting women from a position of dependency to independence.
Catalyst Behind Women-Led Transportation
Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities’ transportation shift can be attributed to government initiatives, technological advancements, and social media. Let us discuss them below.
● Government Initiatives for Female Drivers in Small Towns
Several Indian state governments have launched initiatives like the Pink Auto Scheme, pink bus scheme to encourage women to become auto-rickshaw/Bus drivers, aiming to empower women and enhance safety for female commuters. These initiatives often involve providing subsidized or electric vehicles, training programs, and support for women drivers.
Initiatives such as the ‘pink bus service’ in Bihar are a good example of women’s empowerment through mobility. These pink-coloured buses will have access to state-of-the-art CCTVs, panic buttons, and GPS tracking to ensure safe and comfortable journeys. It opens up new avenues for women in these cities where jobs like these were previously male-dominated.
Operating at regular intervals in major Bihar routes, they guarantee a safer and more eco-friendly travel option for women. Moreover, passengers can also track the bus on the ‘Chalo’ app.
Further, in area of statue of Unity, tribal womens from nearby villages are driving e-rickshaws after being trained by the government at the Ekatanagar skill development centre and earning through the same.
● Technological Advancements
With the increasing availability of the internet in India, women can now easily access information like road routes. Along with this, vehicle companies are incorporating safety measures in their vehicles as well. Features like dashcams ensure that women can have peace of mind while driving. Other features, such as GPS and SOS buttons, also provide a safe haven for women in vehicles.
As we complete 10 years of the Digital India initiative, women can now get a learner’s license from the comfort of their home.
● Empowerment Through Social Media
Social media’s prevalence in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities uplifts women to a position of independence. With female driver role models, women in small towns are realising their potential and rising to the wheel. This is resulting in a demand for women drivers, which promises to grow further.
The role of women in transportation in India is one of the major driving forces in economic empowerment. According to a recent study, experts saw a 34% increase in median salary among women in small towns and cities. This suggests that government initiatives, social media and technological advancements enhanced career opportunities and growth in sectors previously dominated by men.
Empowerment Through the Wheel: A Case Study
The driving culture in India tends to favour men. With aggressive behaviours and road rash, Indian streets are prone to accidents. Contrary to popular belief, women are safer drivers than men. Hard data shows that women are more responsible with fewer traffic violations and fewer offences.
Moreover, women exhibit more consistency in wearing seatbelts than men.
Despite this, women face challenges every day on the road. People often assume that women and driving culture in India do not go hand in hand. Take the case of Isha Sharma from Belgaum. She trained for rally racing among 25 others and secured one of the winning positions. She is a glorious example of a woman thriving in a male-dominated field.
Challenges Faced by Women Drivers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 Cities
Although mindsets are slowly changing, there is a long way to go. Women drivers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities still face significant challenges. They are:
- Societal Expectations: Indian households still do not ‘allow’ women to be a part of the road. Mobility for women in rural India is a far-fetched dream. Women are still dependent on men in rural parts of the country for travel.
- Poor Road Conditions: Indian roads are filled with potholes and have insufficient infrastructure. It creates an intimidating environment for women to drive in.
- Limited Access to Funding: According to the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub, only 3% of women can access external funding for their businesses. This limits aspiring women drivers from investing in a vehicle.
- Fewer Peer Networks: Women drivers may feel isolated in their empowerment journey due to the lack of support groups.
The Road Ahead: Future of Women-Led Transportation
The future for women-led transportation looks brighter. Several government initiatives, coupled with the gig economy, promise to employ women drivers. Here are some ways to accelerate this shift:
- Ensuring Safety: Women are more likely to use public transportation than men. Therefore, creating a safe space and environment for their travel will ensure more women join as drivers. Studies reveal that women feel safer with female drivers, especially in unfamiliar areas or at night.
- Role of NGOs: Non-governmental organisations should come forward to provide training to women drivers. Since they still fall in the low-income strata, this will help them empower themselves through driving.
- Better Representation in the Media: With social media, women are now finding support groups and peers to share their journey with. However, more widespread inclusion and normalisation of women drivers is necessary in the media to see changes.
- Increase Visibility and Access: Improving women’s access to funds is a huge step. Securing loans from NBFCs and other financial institutions should not be a hassle. Equipping women with financial literacy is a huge step towards better inclusivity.
Final Words
Women drivers’ rise in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities creates more employment opportunities and breaks societal expectations and norms. Are you aspiring to be one of the women drivers from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities? Start your dream with a vehicle loan from Kogta Financial. Step into the world of mobility and entrepreneurship with attractive interest rates. The best part? We provide vehicle loans to people with no income proof (NIP). Be a part of the change with us! Apply today!
