Makkal Auto in cities for and by women:

Motto: Safety, security and service to passengers in auto.

The founders of Namma Auto Mr. Mansoor Ali Khan  has started a wing, Makkal Auto, which will have 25 women drivers. And T. Selvaraj is the Managing Director of Makkal Auto. Makkal Auto has initially launched with 25 exclusive autos for women commuters to be driven by women auto drivers and 75 normal autos. The autos driven by women will cater exclusively to women and will form a strong women drivers’ empowerment wing.

As fixed by the government in Chennai, Makkal Auto is operating at the rate of Rs.25 minimum fare for 1.8 Kilometer and Rs.12 for every additional kilometer. It has been proposed to operate 50 Auto Rickshaws to begin with and the strength would go up to 300 Autos depending on the public response.  

Passengers are provided with drinking water, newspaper, cell phone charge point, scribbling pad and tablet. It has come out with digital meter with billing system. The tablet has camera that can capture video when “panic” key is pressed.

The tablet PC is fitted inside the vehicle with a 90 degree rotation accessible by the driver and passenger. The device acts as fare calculator, with the capacity to calculate even complex fares such as packages.  

The drivers would be provided with identity cards, name badges, uniforms and shoes. In addition, there would be an emergency panic button and when the passenger presses the same, a call would come from the control room and the passenger could just pick up the landline receiver in the Auto Rickshaw to convey the message. Whenever the button was pressed, the Global Positioning System (GPS) and General Pocket Radio Services (GPRS) would help in tracking and locating the Auto Rickshaw with a passenger in distress.

Smart phone users can download the exclusive application, “makkal auto” to make calls to these autos.

The tabs in the women-only Auto Rickshaws will also have an emergency button, front and rear cameras and calling facility. “When the button is pressed, video footage of the crime or accident will be sent to a call centre, and a call will be made to the nearest police station.

Customers wanting to avail themselves of the services could call the call centre number 40008000.

Additional information: To join makkal auto. Auto drivers with valid permit can join Makkal Auto any time. They provide the device and pay for the data charges. The only criterion for a driver to join them is his/her willingness to be courteous to the passengers and charge them as per the meter. Those willing to enroll as auto drivers with Makkal Auto would be given an identity card with social security number and details of blood group and address for communication in case of emergencies. Besides uniforms, the auto drivers will have insurance cover worth two lakh.