Auto rickshaws are a common means of public transportation in urban India. Also known as a three-wheeler, Samosa, tempo, tuk-tuk, trishaw, auto, rickshaw, autorick, bajaj, rick, tricycle, mototaxi, baby taxi or lapa in popular parlance, an auto rickshaw is a usually three-wheeled cabin cycle for private use and as a vehicle for hire. It is a motorized version of the traditional pulled rickshaw or cycle rickshaw. Auto rickshaws are an essential form of urban transport in many developing countries, and a form of novelty transport in many Eastern countries.
Auto rickshaws (often called just auto) are common all over India, and provide cheap and efficient transportation. New auto rickshaws run on CNG and are environmentally friendly. Auto rickshaw manufacturers in India include Bajaj Auto, Kumar Motors, Kerala Auto Limited, Force Motors (previously Bajaj Tempo), Mahindra & Mahindra, Piaggio Ape and TVS Motors. Auto rickshaws are found in cities, villages and in the countryside. There are two types of autorickshaws in India. In older versions the engines were situated below driver's seat. In newer versions engines are in rear portion. They normally run on petrol, CNG and diesel. The seating capacity of a normal rickshaw is 4, including driver. There are also six-seater rickshaws in parts of Maharashtra. In cities and towns across India it is the backbone of city transport. Normally their fare rates are controlled by the government with traffic meters.
CNG autos were distinguishable from the erstwhile petrol-powered autos by having a green and yellow livery as opposed to the earlier black and yellow. Certain local governments are pushing for four-stroke engines instead of the current two-stroke versions.
Source: Wikipedia
This footage is part of the professionally-shot broadcast stock footage archive of Wilderness Films India Ltd., the largest collection of HD imagery from South Asia. The Wilderness Films India collection comprises of tens of thousands of hours of high quality broadcast imagery, mostly shot on HDCAM 1080i High Definition, HDV and XDCAM. Write to us for licensing this footage on a broadcast format, for use in your production! We are happy to be commissioned to film for you or else provide you with broadcast crewing and production solutions across South Asia. We pride ourselves in bringing the best of India and South Asia to the world... Reach us at wfi @ vsnl.com and
[email protected].