Comments on: Auto-rickshaws in Mumbai http://6ampacific.com/2007/09/01/auto-rickshaws-in-mumbai/ Basab Pradhan's weblog about business and life in a 'flat world'. 6 AM Pacific is the best time for a global conference call. Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:27:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Ami Shah http://6ampacific.com/2007/09/01/auto-rickshaws-in-mumbai/#comment-12831 Ami Shah Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:35:08 +0000 http://6ampacific.com/2007/09/01/auto-rickshaws-in-mumbai/#comment-12831 I turned a fan of Mumbai autowallahs, after I had some really bad experiences with the Bangalore autowallahs. My first week in Bangalore, I was charged everything from 45-105 rupees to travel to my office from the guesthouse :D Also, if you dont know even "swalpa swalpa kannada", you're defnitely duped! I turned a fan of Mumbai autowallahs, after I had some really bad experiences with the Bangalore autowallahs. My first week in Bangalore, I was charged everything from 45-105 rupees to travel to my office from the guesthouse :D

Also, if you dont know even “swalpa swalpa kannada”, you’re defnitely duped!

]]> By: Dakshesh Shah http://6ampacific.com/2007/09/01/auto-rickshaws-in-mumbai/#comment-12726 Dakshesh Shah Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:24:27 +0000 http://6ampacific.com/2007/09/01/auto-rickshaws-in-mumbai/#comment-12726 A very nice write up A very nice write up

]]> By: Basab http://6ampacific.com/2007/09/01/auto-rickshaws-in-mumbai/#comment-12303 Basab Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:01:34 +0000 http://6ampacific.com/2007/09/01/auto-rickshaws-in-mumbai/#comment-12303 Deepak, Funny comment! Yes, at the end of a tiring day, I will gladly offer twice the fare (aane aur jaane ka bhada). And yes, it makes it easier to think of the fare in dollars or euros. Deepak,

Funny comment! Yes, at the end of a tiring day, I will gladly offer twice the fare (aane aur jaane ka bhada). And yes, it makes it easier to think of the fare in dollars or euros.

]]> By: Deepak Shenoy http://6ampacific.com/2007/09/01/auto-rickshaws-in-mumbai/#comment-12285 Deepak Shenoy Fri, 29 Feb 2008 06:04:40 +0000 http://6ampacific.com/2007/09/01/auto-rickshaws-in-mumbai/#comment-12285 I've just moved to Mumbai from Bangalore and man, is it refreshing to see my auto conversion rate go up. From a demand to go to "ok", I have to do an average of 4-6 autos in Bangalore, on a non trafficky day, to a place in the center of town etc. In Mumbai my average is around 1.5. It's very rare I've gotten rejected, which is quite refreshing. Being a Bangalorean I don't bat an eyelid if they mumble objections, I essentially give them the look which says "Teri *** ki", and look for the next black-and-yellow. Here I have nearly that look plastered on my face and they immediately say "yes" and I instantly feel remorse for being such a cynical b. One thing you're saying perhaps is that you would pay more but the general junta would not. So would it make a difference to offer more? Say double meter? (for 2 km this will be like 12 bucks) It may make up for the driver apprehension of FC loss. For you the extra will always hurt in a little way (Could I have gotten away with lesser?) but for that I suggest you think about how many Euros this extra is and feel good. Not dollars because that will probably go up everytime you come here. Might work? I’ve just moved to Mumbai from Bangalore and man, is it refreshing to see my auto conversion rate go up. From a demand to go to “ok”, I have to do an average of 4-6 autos in Bangalore, on a non trafficky day, to a place in the center of town etc.

In Mumbai my average is around 1.5. It’s very rare I’ve gotten rejected, which is quite refreshing. Being a Bangalorean I don’t bat an eyelid if they mumble objections, I essentially give them the look which says “Teri *** ki”, and look for the next black-and-yellow. Here I have nearly that look plastered on my face and they immediately say “yes” and I instantly feel remorse for being such a cynical b.

One thing you’re saying perhaps is that you would pay more but the general junta would not. So would it make a difference to offer more? Say double meter? (for 2 km this will be like 12 bucks) It may make up for the driver apprehension of FC loss. For you the extra will always hurt in a little way (Could I have gotten away with lesser?) but for that I suggest you think about how many Euros this extra is and feel good. Not dollars because that will probably go up everytime you come here.

Might work?

]]> By: Yasir Razack http://6ampacific.com/2007/09/01/auto-rickshaws-in-mumbai/#comment-8497 Yasir Razack Thu, 01 Nov 2007 08:47:47 +0000 http://6ampacific.com/2007/09/01/auto-rickshaws-in-mumbai/#comment-8497 Rickshaw & Taxi Drivers do not have a right to say NO (apparantly?). So remember that each time the rickshaw/taxi driver tells you a NO, take down his vehicle registration number , note the time , date and place and register your complain on the form in the url below . We have had enough of these guys bullying us around, and refusing to ply specially when its urgent. They have been told that they cannot say a NO to any customer when their meter is FOR HIRE! not even for short or long distance . All other types of complaints can also be filed on this form. It may be worth bookmarking the link or saving it on your mobile. http://www.trafficpolicemumbai.org/Complaint%20Form%20aginst%20ART.html well, use the form wisely. we know when it is necessary to lodge the complaint. Rickshaw & Taxi Drivers do not have a right to say NO (apparantly?). So remember that each time the rickshaw/taxi driver tells you a NO, take down his vehicle registration number , note the time , date and place and register your complain on the form in the url below .

We have had enough of these guys bullying us around, and refusing to ply specially when its urgent. They have been told that they cannot say a NO to any customer when their meter is FOR HIRE! not even for short or long distance .

All other types of complaints can also be filed on this form. It may be worth bookmarking the link or saving it on your mobile.

http://www.trafficpolicemumbai.org/Complaint%20Form%20aginst%20ART.html

well, use the form wisely. we know when it is necessary to lodge the complaint.

]]> By: Shib http://6ampacific.com/2007/09/01/auto-rickshaws-in-mumbai/#comment-7703 Shib Thu, 20 Sep 2007 11:20:32 +0000 http://6ampacific.com/2007/09/01/auto-rickshaws-in-mumbai/#comment-7703 Just wanted to let you all know that, legally, the auto driver cannot deny taking you. If he does, you can drag him to a Traffic policeman and lodge a complaint. Of course, traffic policemen are not available everywhere, but if you see one, do take the auto-driver ant make him straight ! Just wanted to let you all know that, legally, the auto driver cannot deny taking you. If he does, you can drag him to a Traffic policeman and lodge a complaint. Of course, traffic policemen are not available everywhere, but if you see one, do take the auto-driver ant make him straight !

]]> By: Diwakar Muthu http://6ampacific.com/2007/09/01/auto-rickshaws-in-mumbai/#comment-7508 Diwakar Muthu Thu, 06 Sep 2007 12:31:14 +0000 http://6ampacific.com/2007/09/01/auto-rickshaws-in-mumbai/#comment-7508 Man...this is interesting economics. I have always looked at the distance travelled and the cost set by the respective state governments per KM. However there could be other factors that may work... One key factor could be...Most autos do not get the proper loans from the bank, hence they end up paying exhorbitant rates of interest and thus ask for exhorbitant rates. I would like to comment on what Deepa has said. Auto meters in Chennai run faster than time. Hence it would be better off to pay what he asks for and then get out.... :) Man…this is interesting economics. I have always looked at the distance travelled and the cost set by the respective state governments per KM. However there could be other factors that may work…

One key factor could be…Most autos do not get the proper loans from the bank, hence they end up paying exhorbitant rates of interest and thus ask for exhorbitant rates.

I would like to comment on what Deepa has said. Auto meters in Chennai run faster than time. Hence it would be better off to pay what he asks for and then get out…. :)

]]> By: Deepa http://6ampacific.com/2007/09/01/auto-rickshaws-in-mumbai/#comment-7486 Deepa Tue, 04 Sep 2007 20:36:37 +0000 http://6ampacific.com/2007/09/01/auto-rickshaws-in-mumbai/#comment-7486 Auto-wallahs in Chennai do not confuse themselves with all this math and logic. They keep it fairly simple. They take you where you want to go if you pay the fare they quote. And how on earth they arrive at that fare, God only knows. I only know that there is no portion of the fare that is a system constant; everything is variable. I think they follow this very basic principle...'Customer is King (in his ability to shell out money). Hence extract maximum possible.' Auto-wallahs in Chennai do not confuse themselves with all this math and logic. They keep it fairly simple. They take you where you want to go if you pay the fare they quote. And how on earth they arrive at that fare, God only knows. I only know that there is no portion of the fare that is a system constant; everything is variable.

I think they follow this very basic principle…’Customer is King (in his ability to shell out money). Hence extract maximum possible.’

]]> By: Yogesh http://6ampacific.com/2007/09/01/auto-rickshaws-in-mumbai/#comment-7475 Yogesh Mon, 03 Sep 2007 11:04:04 +0000 http://6ampacific.com/2007/09/01/auto-rickshaws-in-mumbai/#comment-7475 The below part may help understanding better - Profit of Rickshawallah = Ride FC - (Basic Amt to owner + Maintenenace) If we can not increase Ride FC, we can minimize/eliminate the Amt to Owner (if that rickshawallah owns his autorickshaw) Then equation may look like - Profit of Rickshawallah = Ride FC - (Loan EMI* + Maintenance) * - Any deals on better EMI will help them earn more as well as more banks will have more cash flow (Dont knw how many banks will have promotional schemes to target this :) ) Warm Regards, #! /Yogesh The below part may help understanding better -

Profit of Rickshawallah = Ride FC - (Basic Amt to owner + Maintenenace)

If we can not increase Ride FC, we can minimize/eliminate the Amt to Owner (if that rickshawallah owns his autorickshaw)
Then equation may look like -
Profit of Rickshawallah = Ride FC - (Loan EMI* + Maintenance)

* - Any deals on better EMI will help them earn more as well as more banks will have more cash flow (Dont knw how many banks will have promotional schemes to target this :) )

Warm Regards,
#! /Yogesh

]]> By: Yogesh http://6ampacific.com/2007/09/01/auto-rickshaws-in-mumbai/#comment-7474 Yogesh Mon, 03 Sep 2007 10:58:29 +0000 http://6ampacific.com/2007/09/01/auto-rickshaws-in-mumbai/#comment-7474 Dear Basab, I'm one of those fans of auto-rickshaw... the reason is its simply available whenever you want... From my personal experiences in Mumbai and Pune, I think, Ride FC and Empty FC also depends on the attitude of rickshawallahs. I did talk to many of them when I ride, just to kill the time and get some insight on their day to day life. I found that Mumbai rickshawallahs enjoy their work more (dont sue me for this - just observation from the data I had) so they will be ready to travel to any place as wait time (as compared to the one in pune) is less. The simple reason could be other rickshawallahs dont refuse much as well. On top of this, I found, Pune Rickshawallahs normally expect to have some more amount apart from the fare on meter (this is especially outside the city region), so they dont go by meter always. Third, normally rickshawallahs have their own areas. This implies if someone is not ready to accept any passenger, they will redirect to the other rickshawallah there (provided they are not in queue or other rickshawallahs dont mind). So being in their 'own areas' help reducing Empty FC too. Does that make sense? Lastly, I dont think, ONLY increasing the basic fare will help resolving this issue. Most of the rickshawallah dont have their permit to own auto (As there are limited permits and one need to pay atleast 40-50K to get the permit - not sure abt the official/ legal amount) If we have more permits there will be more rickshawallahs which will bring more competition. This will help improving the service too. Here, I can accept more basic fare as there will be less rides for individual rickshawallah. Warm Regards, #! /Yogesh Dear Basab,

I’m one of those fans of auto-rickshaw… the reason is its simply available whenever you want… From my personal experiences in Mumbai and Pune, I think, Ride FC and Empty FC also depends on the attitude of rickshawallahs. I did talk to many of them when I ride, just to kill the time and get some insight on their day to day life. I found that Mumbai rickshawallahs enjoy their work more (dont sue me for this - just observation from the data I had) so they will be ready to travel to any place as wait time (as compared to the one in pune) is less. The simple reason could be other rickshawallahs dont refuse much as well.
On top of this, I found, Pune Rickshawallahs normally expect to have some more amount apart from the fare on meter (this is especially outside the city region), so they dont go by meter always.
Third, normally rickshawallahs have their own areas. This implies if someone is not ready to accept any passenger, they will redirect to the other rickshawallah there (provided they are not in queue or other rickshawallahs dont mind). So being in their ‘own areas’ help reducing Empty FC too.

Does that make sense?

Lastly, I dont think, ONLY increasing the basic fare will help resolving this issue. Most of the rickshawallah dont have their permit to own auto (As there are limited permits and one need to pay atleast 40-50K to get the permit - not sure abt the official/ legal amount)
If we have more permits there will be more rickshawallahs which will bring more competition. This will help improving the service too. Here, I can accept more basic fare as there will be less rides for individual rickshawallah.

Warm Regards,
#! /Yogesh

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