Auto Pilot

“Ay Auto!” When MBA students Vikas Menon, Gopi Arvind and Shreyas Parekh shouted these two words on the desolate night street outside their campus, no black and yellow came. This happened numerous times and then desperate times called for desperate measures. The trio put their heads together and came up with something to make the lives of every Punekar easier: Ay Auto, a week-old dial-a-rickshaw service that operates from 7 pm to 7 am.

Here’s how it works: You dial the Ay Auto number (preferably 30 minutes in advance) and give them your pick up and destination address, after which the driver’s name and number will be texted to you.So it's essentially like a MERU can service but with autorickshaws.

What’s most reassuring though, is that all their drivers are verified and paid a monthly salary and the meters checked, which keeps them honest. The company has currently leased 25 autorickshaws (the drivers get paid a salary), a fleet strength that Vikas tells us, is increasing by the day. Considering Mumbai's meter-rigging, tantrum-throwing rickshaws, we could do with this new service in the Maximum City as well. 

So why should you dial an Ay Auto ? Because the founders think this service is great for a city like Pune, where distances are large and night time transport, elusive. As for the service’s moniker, it’s a long story we’re told, one that involves “a Malayalam film by the same name,” grins Vikas. Best auto pilot ever!

Getting there: Call Ay Auto on 8446001234 or visit http://www.ayauto.in, operational in all areas under the PMC, Rs 11 minimum fare (night charges separate).