Transgender driver Aishwarya with OOR Cabs founder Maria Antony Issac in Tiruchi.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
OOR Cabs, the electric vehicle (EV)-based ride platform for auto-rickshaws, has appointed Aishwarya, a transgender person, as one of its drivers in Tiruchi, in an initiative to promote inclusive employment in the city.“Increasing the participation of women and transgender persons in the workplace requires the creation of a safe space for them to operate. Aishwarya already had a driving licence. She underwent further training to become one of our first transgender auto drivers. We are hoping to welcome more transgender aspirants in the coming months,” Maria Antony Issac, founder and chief executive officer, Oor Cabs, told The Hindu.Of a total staff strength of 130 e-auto drivers at the company, 40 are women, and at least 15 have become independent operators, said Mr. Isaac.A total of 20 transgender persons in the 20-30 year age group have been shortlisted to train in Tiruchi as e-auto-rickshaw drivers through the Community Renovation and Organisation Advancement Trust (COROAT) NGO in association with the Rural Self-Employment Training Institute (RSETI), affiliated to Indian Overseas Bank.“Auto-rickshaw driving is a profession that can empower transgender persons with financial independence and also help them enjoy a dignified livelihood. The training for transgender candidates will begin through RSETI in Tiruchi very soon,” said M. Padmavathi, managing trustee, COROAT. Published - June 23, 2026 07:12 pm IST
