Mumbai, Dec 9 (UNI) Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL)today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Ola, the online cab aggregator, to train aspiring drivers-partners. According to the MoU, Maruti Suzuki would help the individuals/ Ola partner-drivers obtain commercial licences and also assist in availing of vehicle financing to purchase their own cars on completion of their courses. Ola will also provide qualified leads for potential driver-partners to Maruti Suzuki to help them with commercial driving training. Under the 'Maruti Ola Training Programme', the company targets to benefit 40,000 individuals/ Ola driver-partners in safe driving over a period of three years. Maruti Suzuki and Ola partnership will create entrepreneurship opportunities for aspiring drivers-partners as well as make urban transportation safe, reliable and convenient, the company said. 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, it said. 'Maruti Suzuki is committed to promoting quality driving training in the country. Studies show that ‘driver’s fault’ is the biggest reason for road accidents. We have evolved a comprehensive training programme comprising simulators, theory and practical sessions, imparted through 370 Maruti Driving Schools and six IDTRs across India' R. S. Kalsi, Executive Director, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki, said. The curriculum, besides driving skills, offers soft skills such as grooming, manners and etiquette that develop a positive attitude among the drivers, he said. Ola, as a technology platform, will help create opportunities for these trained drivers by giving them access to infrastructure, financing and continuous revenue. Over the last five years, Ola has been successful in on-boarding over five lakh skilled driver-partners onto its platform. UNI JS VS1229