An autorickshaw driver who gives free rides to the blind, donates money to an old age home and is trying to raise funds for the treatment of a sandwich vendor.

Sandeep Bachhe is an autorickshaw driver in Mumbai. More of him later, but first let me take you through his wonder autorickshaw. It has a television set tuned to good old Doordarshan — which incidentally is celebrating 50 years of transmission in India. Then there is also a board with the day’s price of gold, silver, dollar, pound and the yen.

Behind the driver’s seat hangs another chart with phone numbers of hospitals, theatres, hotels and airlines. You can also pick up the day’s papers and a couple of magazines in the rack behind him. ‘Do not spit,’ another notice admonishes you. There are pictures of Gods from all major religions. “All are welcome,” he says with a smile.

“I have been driving an autorickshaw for ten years. Whatever money I make I first give my family. The little that can spare, I give it to an old age home. During the beginning of the academic year for schools, we try and distribute notebooks to needy students.”

Full article here

Auto-rickshaw drivers in Chennai have a history of overcharging and behave like rash and hard, using rigged meters, and exploting foreign passengers, although they are ubiquitous and possibly the easiest form of transportation to locate. Use only for short distances (if you know exactly how far you are going). Before talking to auto person ask any local person what the actual fare should be, because if you don’t know, they might ask for up to 3 times more.

If you want to travel by the auto, stick to these rules:

• Don’t go by the meter (if they have one) – the meter is rigged to show a higher fare

• Negotiate a rate with the driver beforehand. Try to stick to the agreed price, though the driver may attempt to ask for more.

• Consult local friends beforehand to find out reasonable market prices for the distance you intend to go.

• Try to hail individual auto rickshaws in traffic which are heading in the general direction of your destination and avoid those parked in groups as they may try to gang-up on you.

On a side note – if you are fascinated by the idea of going around in an auto, think about all those foreigners, who are riding an auto from Chennai to Mumbai. A Chennai based event management company, Chennai Event Management Services, has been having these autorickshaw rallies from Chennai to Mumbai, or Kanyakumari, etc., and has developed a great fan following for the same…YES that’s us!

More here

Go on a ride with Sharell Cook, as she takes on the 2009 Mumbai Xpress with a vengeance!

“I have no idea how I’ll cope. I haven’t been brave enough to drive a car — which I know how to operate — in India yet, let alone an auto rickshaw! What’s more, merely spending 30 minutes in one of these noisy three wheeled contraptions is enough to irritate my ears and turn my hair into a knotted mess. However, without a doubt, it’s going to be one heck of an hilarious adventure.”

Daily Updates here

The Mumbai Xpress – 2009 , an autorickshaw rally from Chennai to Mumbai, is expected to raise Rs.25lakhs for providing basic amenities in rural schools.  

“The funds raised will be used towards 10 projects along the rally route and will benefit over 20,000 students,” said Aravind Bremanandam, managing director of Chennai Event Management Services, the lead organiser of the event.  This year’s autorickshaw rally would incorporate a new route covering Mysore, Pune and Mahabaleshwar, Bremanandam said. 

Charity function held in chennai:

Actor and Industrialist Arvind Swamy along with’ Mumbai Express’ Chief Coordinator Arvind Bremanandam donated a checque for Rs, 10,57152  to Madras Mid Town Round Table 42 in a function held at Koturpuram Adventetious School, Chennai today. This money will be utilized for the schools without any infrastructure facilities.

Watch a clip from the event here

Rickshaaa! (2006) A Film on Three Wheels, a documentary about autorickshaws:

“They think they are the Michael Schumachers with their personal Ferraris… on the goddam roads!!!”

Trailer

A look at the Bajaj autorickshaw factory in Aurangabad, India. Footage shot for the documentary.

Firang CEOs + autorickshaw ride = tourist-safe India

Ride was part of initiative to renew foreigners’ confidence in Mumbai post 26/11 terror attacks

Fifty corporate biggies of different nationalities went sightseeing in Mumbai in autorickshaws yesterday. The joyride was part of an initiative to change visitors’ perception of urban India, which, the hosts said, suffered a setback after the 26/11 terror attacks.

The CEOs and regional heads, all working for DHL’s South Asia-Pacific and Europe regions, were in Mumbai for a company summit during which they took to the road in 16 autorickshaws. “The 26/11 terror attacks kept foreigners away. The company decided to ensure that the perception changed for the better,” explained Franz Festl, general manager, (Trade Lane Management India), DHL Global Forwarding.

Festl said many of the top bosses were visiting India for the first time. “They were thrilled at the sight of a black and yellow three-wheeler operating on CNG or petrol,” said Festl. Christoph Remund, chief executive officer, DHL Lemuir Logistics, who was among the 50 executives, said the experience was exhilarating.

Full article here

DHL India employees go wild with a special custom autorickshaw adventure!

Mumbai, India. February 15, 2009 – The India branch of DHL Global Forwarding just treated its employees to an unforgettable a day of team-building challenges that involved driving and racing autorickshaws – motorized, three-wheeled vehicles that are an iconic symbol of the Indian subcontinent.  

DHL commissioned Chennai Event Management Services (CEMS) to organize this special team-building event. CEMS specializes in large-scale adventure races and endurance rallies, but this particular event is a product from their unique choose-your-own-autorickshaw-adventure service.

The day started early with driving lessons from professional autorickshaw drivers – real experts always make the best teachers! Participants came from all around Europe and South Asia Pacific for this event. Most had never even seen an autorickshaw before, and nobody had ever driven one.

Endurance challenges were offered first to get everybody warmed up. After a great game of autorickshaw tag, things really started to heat up! A special “slow race” really challenged everyone’s driving skills and brought laughs and cheers from all teams. 

The final challenge was an extraordinary autorickshaw ballet, in which teams danced around the arena in three clusters of five vehicles each. This unusual spectacle was definitely the highlight of the day. 

At the end of the event, prizes were given for the top-scoring teams. Everyone had a fantastic time, and the participants agreed the event was one of the most unique experiences they had ever had. 

CEMS is responsible for organizing events like the annual Rickshaw Challenges in India and the Bus Number 7 rally that goes from Central Europe to Africa. This custom DHL team-building day represents a unique CEMS service that lets clients dream up their own autorickshaw-related events. 

Official DHL PR here

CEAT Mumbai Xpress- 2008 managed to get amazing press coverage over the entire event, not to mention countless articles which followed up after the challenge.

English Press clipping Gallery
Vernacular Press clippings Gallery
Web Showcase

If you have any clipping / press coverage which is not in this collection please send us the same!

Day reports

DAY One and Two ( registration, training and unreported parties)
Day Three- August 3, 2008 : Chennai to Vellore
Day Four- August 4, 2008: Vellore to Hosur
Day Five- August 5, 2008:Hosur to Hassan
Day Six- August 6, 2008: Hassan to Mangalore
Day Seven- August 7, 2008: Mangalore to Bhaktal-Murudeshwar
Day Eight- August 8, 2008:Bhaktal-Murudeshwar to Panjim, Goa
Day Nine – August 9, 2008 : BREAK in Panaji Goa
Day Ten- August 10, 2008: Panjim, Goa to Tarkali, Maharashtra
Day Eleven- August 11, 2008: Tarkali to Ratnagiri
Day Twelve- August 12, 2008: Rathnagiri to Mahad
Day Thirteen- August 13, 2008: Mahad to Alibagh
Day Fourteen- August 14, 2008: Alibagh to Mumbai