The auto drivers they are a-changin

Can the Bangalore auto driver become nice and polite? Can the leopard change its spots?

Yes, says Anil Shetty, about auto drivers, not leopards. Shetty, CEO of an organisation called World Peacekeepers’ Movement that is engaged in a campaign to transform auto drivers into polite, civil individuals. He and Huzaifa Khorakiwala, trustee and CEO of the Wockhardt Foundation, are working on ‘Peace Auto’, a campaign to encourage auto drivers to treat passengers with warmth, maintain cleanliness in autos, and even provide books in the autos for the passengers’ benefit.

Autorickshaws helmed by drivers targeted by the campaign for attitudinal change will sport a sticker in the front carrying the legend “Peace Auto Driver”. Such drivers will spread the message of peace and co-existence among passengers.

“I commute in the city by autorickshaw from Koramangala to other destinations. I got the idea while riding in an auto. Generally, the public see auto drivers as rude, impolite and dishonest in the matter of meter fare. I thought that had to change,” says Shetty.

He discussed the idea with Khorakiwala, who was enthusiastic. They selected a few auto drivers, who were taught the importance of peace. The drivers were given a crash course in people skills and taught to be polite to passengers, particularly women and impress on co-drivers and passengers the importance of peace.

The drivers selected by the World Peacekeepers’ Movement are also taught to drive safely, not violate traffic rules and adhere to the meter in charging fare. They sport the sticker ‘Peace Auto’ on their vehicles. Peace autos will also have books and magazines for the passengers to browse through during their journey. The campaigners believe that the initiative would help shed the negative impressions about auto drivers.

Launching with seven Peace Autos now, they are expected to have more than hundred Peace Autos in the city within 6-8 months.

“I now welcome passengers with a smile and ask them to use the books in my vehicle till they reach their destination. The passengers were happy and some even paid me extra,’’ says Raghu N, an autorickshaw driver who has joined the Peace Auto initiative.

Echoing Raghu, KM Rangaswamy, who drives an auto in and around Koramangala, says he doesn’t want to quarrel with passengers. “I want to ensure passengers feel happy and comfortable while commuting in my autorickshaw,’’ says Rangaswamy.

The  initiative will be inaugurated by Transport minister Ramalinga Reddy  on October 2 at Raheja Residency Auto Stand, 3rd Block, Koramangala.