Auto Rickshaw
Auto rickshaw or three-wheelers (tuk-tuk, auto, rick, autorick or rickshaw in popular parlance) is a
motor vehicle and one of the chief
modes of transport in many parts of
South and
East Asia, especially as a
vehicle for hire. It is a motorized version of the traditional
rickshaw or
velotaxi, a small three-wheeled cart operated by a single individual, and is related to the
cabin cycle.
Auto rickshaws are particularly popular where there is
traffic congestion. They are common in many Asian countries such as
Bangladesh,
Cambodia,
India,
Laos,
Pakistan,
Sri Lanka and
Thailand. As well as some African countries such as
Ethiopia.
Design
An auto rickshaw is generally characterized by a sheet-metal body or open frame resting on three wheels, with handle bars like a motorcycle, a canvas roof with drop-down sides, a small cabin in the front of the vehicle for the driver (sometimes called an auto-wallah), and seating space for up to three passengers in the rear. They are generally fitted with an air-cooled
scooter version of a
two-stroke engine, with
handlebar controls instead of a
steering wheel. Auto rickshaws are light vehicles.
Hiring
Hiring an auto rickshaw often involves negotiating a fee with the
driver .
In the major cities of India, such as
Chennai,
Ahmedabad,
Thiruvananthapuram,
Bengaluru and
Delhi, drivers are required to install
fare meters in their auto rickshaws. These meters are calibrated according to the city guidelines.
In cities such as Delhi, Mumbai,
Kolkata,
Chennai,
Pune,
Hyderabad and Bengaluru, traffic-regulating authorities have implemented a schedule of predetermined fares. For example, in Chennai in 2006, the predetermined fare within the central city was approximately Rs. 50.
Regional variations
As a mode of transport, the auto rickshaw is turning out to be a major employer in India. All major nationalized banks of India offer loans to buy one under self-employment schemes. Major auto rickshaw manufacturers in India include
Bajaj Auto and
Force Motors (previously Bajaj Tempo). A two-wheeler major,
TVS Motors, has announced it will enter the auto rickshaw market with a technologically updated and a less polluting vehicle, in early 2006. Not restricted to cities, auto rickshaws are also prevalent in large numbers in Indian villages and in the countryside.
There is an initial charge at the beginning of a ride then the price normally increases in proportion to the distance. It is mandatory that the initial charge be set at a value given by the government. In Mumbai currently, the initial charge is 9
Rupees for up to 1
kilometre and thereafter proportional charges at a rate of Rs. 9 per kilometre. However one will find that in most cities this is usually disregarded by drivers and one must bargain for a price.
Known locally as Rickshah or autos, and used mainly by the lower-middle-class, auto rickshaws are a popular mode of transport for short routes within cities in
Pakistan. One of the major brands of auto rickshaws is
Vespa (an Italian Company).
Environment Canada is implementing pilot projects in
Lahore,
Karachi and
Quetta with engine technology developed in
Mississauga,
Ontario,
Canada that uses
compressed natural gas (CNG) instead of petrol in the two-stroke engines, in an effort to combat
environmental pollution.[
citation needed]
In many cities in Pakistan, there are also motor cycle rickshaws, usually called chand gari (moon car) or qingqi (after the Chinese company who first introduced this rickshaw to the market).
In addition to ferrying people around, an innovative use of auto rickshaws in public life was the demonstration in
Peshawar in 2001 against the American invasion of Afghanistan.
Auto rickshaws commonly known as 'three-wheelers' can be found on all roads in
Sri Lanka from the curvy roads through the hill country to the congested roads of
Colombo transporting locals, foreigners, or freight about. Sri Lankan tuk-tuks are of the style of the light Phnom Penh type. Most tuk-tuks in Sri Lanka are a slightly modified Indian Bajaj model, imported from India though there are few manufactured locally and increasingly imports from other countries in the region and other brands of three wheelers such as Piaggio. In 2007 January the Sri Lankan government imposed an ban on all 2 stroke three wheelers and therefore the ones imported to the island now are only with a four stroke engine. Most three wheelers are available as hiring vehicles with few being used to haul goods and as private vehicles. Bajaj enjoys a virtual monopoly in the island with its agent being David Pieries Motor Co Ltd
[1]. The hiring three wheelers in Sri Lanka never have distance meters and the charges are specified more or less on the whims of the driver.
Auto rickshaws are very popular & are common transport in
Bangladesh. In
Dhaka, they are called "CNGs" lovingly by the residents. These "CNGs" are painted green to signify that the vehicles are eco-friendly. In
Khulna, they are called "Baby Taxi" or "Baby". Auto rickshaws are visible in other Bangladeshi cities including
Chittagong,
Rajshahi. Auto rickshaws are available in most of the towns and rural areas. In rural areas, they are known as "Tempo", "Nosimon" or "VotVoti".
Southeast Asia
Referred to as bajaj in
Indonesia, are common throughout the country's capital
Jakarta.
Bajaj is India's main Auto-Rickshaw manufacturer.
The auto rickshaw, called tuk-tuk in
Thailand, is a widely used form of urban transport in
Bangkok and other Thai cities, as well as other major Southeast Asian and South Asian cities. It is particularly popular where traffic congestion is a major problem, such as in Bangkok and
Nakhon Ratchasima.
In
Cambodia, the term tuk-tuk is used to refer to a motorcycle with a cabin attached to the rear. Cambodian cities have a much lower volume of automobile traffic than Thai cities, and tuk-tuks are still the most common form of urban transport.
At the temple complex of
Angkor, tuk-tuks provide a convenient form of transport around the complex for tourists. One can hire a tuk-tuk and driver by the day.
Siem Reap tuk-tuks are generally of the style of motorcycle and trailer.
Phnom Penh tuk-tuks are by contrast one piece. They are the front end of a motorcycle comprising of steering, tank and engine/gearbox with a covered tray mounted at the back. The power is transferred by chain to an axle mounted to the modified rear fork which drives the two rear wheels. Suspended upon the rear fork is an open cabin with an in-line seat on each side. This arrangement can carry 6 people at ease, with their luggage in the leg space. It is not unusual to see these vehicles greatly overloaded, especially in outer suburbs and around markets.
Lao tuk-tuks are generally of the Phnom Penh style. They come as tuk-tuks or jumbo tuk-tuks. Jumbos have a larger 3 or 4 cylinder
4 stroke engine, many are powered by
Daihatsu engines. While the smaller tuk-tuks carry similar loads to Cambodian tuk-tuks, and are geared similarly, jumbos' larger engine and cabin size allow for greater loads, up to 12 seated people at a squeeze, and higher top speeds. Jumbos are almost without exception only found in
Vientiane. A few Thai tuk-tuks, which have fully enclosed cabins, have also made their way to Vientiane.
There are comparatively few
Vietnamese tuk-tuks on the road. Most are in the two largest cities,
Ho Chi Minh City or
Hanoi as well as a few in other major tourist centres. Ho Chi Minh tuk-tuks generally comprise the motorcycle and trailer style of Siem Reap while Hanoi and
Hoi An tuk-tuks are of the style of the light Phnom Penh type.
Auto rickshaws are an especially popular form of public
transportation in the Philippines, where they are referred to as tricycles (
Filipino: traysikel;
Cebuano: traysikol).
[1] As opposed to other types of auto rickshaws, tricycles are motorcycles fitted with a two-seater implement at the side to allow transportation. They usually carry 5 passengers, rarely more, although one can opt for a 'special' ride, albeit with an increase in price.
Central and South America 
The mototaxi or moto is the
Central American and
Peruvian incarnation of the auto rickshaw. These are most commonly made from the front end and engine of a motorcycle attached to a two-wheeled passenger area in back. Commercially produced models, such as the Indian Bajaj brand, are also employed. In Guatemala the commercial vehicles are referred to as tuk-tuks.
Tuk-tuks operate, both as taxis and private vehicles, in
Guatemala City,
Guatemala, around the island town of
Flores,
Peten, in the mountain city of
Antigua Guatemala, and in many small towns in the mountains. In 2005 the tuk-tuks prevalent in the
Lago de Atitlán towns of
Panajachel and
Santiago Atitlán all appeared to be from India (
Bajaj Auto).
Three-wheeled Coco taxis, resembling a coconut, are used in Havana, Cuba.
Africa
There are tuk-tuks in several
Kenyan towns. Using them is somewhat cheaper than ordinary taxis. However, tuk-tuks cannot operate in mountainous towns, which are common in Kenya. Fierce competition with
Boda-bodas (bicycle taxis) and
Matatus (minibuses) hinders popularity of Tuk-tuks, especially within the interior of Kenya. While they may not be as commonly found in Kenya, one does come across quite a number of them in the coastal regions, which are less mountainous. For example, in the town of Malindi they offer a less expensive and easy mode of transportation. Tuk-tuks are also common in
Ethiopia, and is becoming common in
Tanzania, particularly in the outer areas of
Dar es Salaam, as well as, from 2009, in
Maputo,
Mozambique. In Tanzania and Ethiopia they are known as Bajajis, called after the
Bajaj Auto company which manufactures many of them.
Other Countries
United KingdomThe first Tuk Tuks to enter service in the United Kingdom were supplied and built by MMW Imports under the brand name MMW Tuk Tuks, The very first Private Hire license was issued to an MMW Tuk Tuk for tours of
Bath in the '90s. MMW also gained full Hackney license in
Weston Super Mare. MMW also now export Tuk Tuks from Thailand to New Zealand and Australia.
Tukshop of Southampton started the commercial importing of Bajaj rickshaws in 2003. Tukshop failed to gain an operator license for London after a number of media appearances in 2004.
A
Bajaj tuk tuk is currently operated by
Bangwallop of
Salcombe,
South Devon. Taking just two passengers at a time, the tuk tuk has an operator's license issued by
VOSA and trips can be booked in advance.
Auto rickshaws were introduced to the city of
Brighton & Hove on
10 July 2006 by entrepreneur Dominic Ponniah's company
Tuctuc Ltd, who had the idea after seeing the vehicles used in India and Sri Lanka. They were
CNG-powered, using a four-speed (plus reverse) 175 cc engine. Under the terms of their license, the Bajas ran on a fixed single route, and stopped only at designated stops. They are of the same design as traditional auto rickshaws in other countries.
An investigation was launched into Tuctuc Ltd's operation of the service after complaints were raised that routes, stopping points and timetables were not being adhered, primarily by the city's taxi drivers.
[2] In November 2006, the company was fined £16,500 - the maximum penalty possible - by the South East Traffic Commissioner. After amendments were made to the timetable to reduce delays and improve reliability, the Commissioner allowed the company to keep its operating licence.
[3] However, the company announced in January 2008 that it was ceasing operations, citing "archaic legislation" as the reason.
[4] Netherlands
Since 2007, tuk-tuks have been active in
The Netherlands, starting with
Amsterdam. They now operate in Amsterdam,
The Hague,
Zandvoort, Bergen op Zoom, the popular beach resort Renesse and
Rotterdam. All of the tuk-tuks in The Netherlands are imported from
Thailand. They are fitted with CNG engines and have passed the EURO-4 rules.
Fuel efficiency and pollution
In July 1998, the
Supreme Court of India ordered the
Delhi government to implement
CNG or
LPG (
Autogas)
fuel for all autos and for the entire bus fleet in and around the city. Delhi's air quality has improved with the switch to CNG, important in a city where people commonly wear masks for protection against smog. Initially, auto rickshaw drivers in Delhi had to wait in long queues for CNG cylinders refilling, but the situation has improved with the rise of stations selling CNG. Certain other local governments are also pushing for
four-stroke engines instead of the current two-stroke versions. Typical
mileage for an Indian-made auto rickshaw is around 35 kilometres per litre of
petrol (about 2.9 L per 100 km, or 82 miles per gallon). Pakistan has passed a similar law prohibiting auto rickshaws in certain areas. CNG Rickshaws have started to appear in huge numbers in many Pakistani cities.
In January 2007 the Sri Lankan government also banned two-stroke trishaws to reduce air pollution. In the Philippines
[5] there are projects to convert carburated two-stroke engines to direct-injected via
Envirofit technology. Research has shown LPG or CNG gas direct-injection to be retrofit-able to existing engines in similar fasion to the Envirofit system
[6]. Direct injection is standard equipment on new machines in India
[7][8].
Traffic issues
Auto rickshaws have a top-speed of around 50 km/h (about 31 mph) and a cruising speed of around 35 km/h (22 mph). Traffic authorities in big cities try to implement mechanisms to reduce the resulting traffic slowing; however, none of these have really proven effective.
The MMW Tuk Tuk has a top speed of around 70mph and with the introduction of the new turbo will have much improved 0-60 start times, to allow for the increased speeds these Tuk Tuks have anti-roll bars and are fitted with disc brakes all round. The owner of MMW Tuk Tuks, Mr Michael Williams has over the years made huge strides forward in Tuk Tuk design.
The triangular form of the auto also makes maneuvering easy, with the front single wheel negotiating the available gap, and the rear two wheels forcing a larger space.
Racing
Due to their relatively low top-speed, auto rickshaws have never lent themselves to conventional
road or
street racing. However, their modest speed, simple construction and impressive fuel economy has endeared them to the international amateur adventuring community, most notably with the
Indian Autorickshaw Challenge and more recently the
Rickshaw Run.
Portrayal in media
Car
