It is difficult but not impossible. More than 1.10 lakh auto rickshaw drivers in the city are putting their hundred per cent to fetch between Rs10,000 — 12,000 every month. In this business, the margin is much higher than the actual cost of fuel consumption. And so, many rickshaw drivers have left their fixed monthly salary job and have entered into the business of auto rickshaw driving.
The economics of auto rickshaw driving is very different. Depending on the average of an auto rickshaw, presently, with the cost of CNG at Rs32.67 per kg, auto rickshaw drivers are able to cover 1.25km at a cost ranging between Re 1—Rs1.75.
Whereas, as per the state government's price chart, they are fetching Rs9 per 1.25 km, so, the margin jumps to almost eight times. But it is not that easy. Drivers are also paying installments against the loan taken to purchase an auto rickshaw, which comes at a cost of around Rs 1.25 lakh or more.
After making CNG auto rickshaws mandatory on Ahmedabad roads, over 20,000 three wheelers have been added. “In 2004, there were around 60,000 auto rickshaws in the city, which increased to more than 80,000 as on today. Simultaneously, even auto rickshaw drivers have increased in the last six years from around 75,000 to over 1.10 lakh in the city,” said president of Ahmedabad Autorickshaw Drivers' Association, Ashok Punjabi.
The business is so lucrative that the number of drivers have drastically increased. "Due to a rise in the number of drivers, the competition has increased and the margins have decreased. Earlier, a driver used to fetch more than Rs400 while today it is a bit less," said Punjabi.
On an average, an autorickshaw driver covers more than 50 km-60km within 10 to 12 hours per day. "I have come from Bihar 12 years ago and was working as a labour with a textile mill in the city. Slowly, I realised that I might earn more money, if I start a business of running auto rickshaws. Hence, two years back, I bought a rickshaw and today I am a much happier man.
Compared to my previous job of working as a labour, I am now earning more money as well as freedom by being my own boss," said Buland Singh, who is running a rickshaw since 2 years.
Even the educated and literate people have found it to be a good business as compared to a job. "Now, not only the less educated people like us, but even degree holders and lawyers have started driving auto rickshaws in the city," said Raj Shirke who is running a rickshaw since 10 years.
According to Gyanendra Tiwari, a driver, the drivers who are running shuttles or school rickshaws have much higher margins.
"This because they get more passengers on the same route and with more number of trips, they earn almost double of what we earn every day. Today, our daily turnover is around Rs400 while the drivers who are into shuttle or school rickshaw business are drawing more than Rs 800 a day," he said.
The margins have squeezed in the past 10 years, believes Gyanendra Tiwari. "I am into this business since 1990. Earlier, there were less number of rickshaws, inflation rate was down, the numbers of passengers were more and due to many factors, that time the margin was also bigger than what we are getting today.
But even today, we are happy with the business," said Tiwari.
According to Gyanendra Tiwari, a driver, the drivers who are running shuttles or school rickshaws have much higher margins.
"This because they get more passengers on the same route and with more number of trips, they earn almost double of what we earn every day. Today, our daily turnover is around Rs400 while the drivers who are into shuttle or school rickshaw business are drawing more than Rs800 a day," he said.
There are also different kinds of auto rickshaw drivers in the city who do not own but drive it on rent. "Of the total 1.10 lakh auto rickshaw drivers in the city, 30% do not own it. They hire it from owners at a rent of Rs150 or more per day, on the basis of the condition of the vehicle," said Punjabi.
Punjabi further added that, introducing CNG in city has changed the lifestyle of auto rickshaw drivers. "Drivers have now started earning more money owing to which, their lifestyle has improved in the past several years. Simultaneously, the pollution level in the city has also fallen drastically," said Punjabi.
Meanwhile, there are also certain auto rickshaw drivers like Ayub Rehman, who are still not happy with the profession. "Our monthly turnover must be around Rs12,000 but our net profit is not more than Rs3,500. Today, when the inflation rate is rising, it is difficult to manage monthly expenses," said Rehman.
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