Gurgaon has long been starving for a good public transport system. Till 2009, Gurgaon did not have any major transport other that DTC buses and shared autos. However, Year 2010 has blessed Gurgaon with Metro rail and also Radio Auto service known as Radio Tuk Tuk. These services have been a boon for Gurgaon public transport system.
Travelling in Gurgaon has always been a nightmare for its citizens. People who do not own cars or can’t drive are not left with any choice of decent transport in Gurgaon. One has to depend on rickshaws that charge exorbitantly for small distances. Rickshaws are not even safe to travel on the busy and broken roads of Gurgaon. Moreover, rickshaws are also not readily available in all the areas and impractical for travelling to long distances, like DLF I to Sohna Road.
While Gurgaon Metro has improved the city’s connectivity with Delhi and other regions of NCR, Radio Tuk Tuk has considerably improved the intra-city commutation scenario. Radio Tuk Tuk was launched on 22nd November 2010. The concept is same as Radio Taxi, you can call a Tuk Tuk on phone and charges are according to the total number of kilometers. Al the autos are fitted with electric meter.
The charges for Radio Tuk Tuk are Rs 50 for the first three kilometers, and Rs 8 per kilometer after the first 3 kilometers. Most surprisingly, all the autos are fitted with GPS (Global Positioning System), making it possible to track the auto position. The autos have mobile charging points also. The autos can be booked 30-45 minutes prior to the travel, but the earlier the better, as the number of autos is limited. Bookings can be done on the centralized number 0124-2343434. Radio Tuk Tuk runs between 6:30 am to 11:30 pm.
To ensure the safety of customers, all the auto drivers are verified and hold proper license. The auto if also fitted with a panic button that commuters can use in case of any problem.
The great initiative to start Radio Auto service in Gurgaon was taken by Mr Sulabh Mehra. Although the dearth of a sound transport was felt by all in Gurgaon, the initiative was taken by this young man. At present there are only 50 Tuk Tuk autos in Gurgaon but after seeing the unprecedented demand, the number is going to multiply very soon.
Though these red colored autos might not be a good idea after the failure of Red Line private buses in Delhi, but they look striking on Gurgaon roads. The city needs many such initiatives not only on the public transport front but in various avenues.
Radio Tuk Tuk has gained a lot of popularity in Gurgaon, and the public is eager for more such initiatives.
Monideepa Paul, Gurgaon
6 responses so far
1 Gopinathan ~ Jan 19, 2011 at 6:11 am
don’t u think that the rates r high Rs. 50/= for 3 KM is too much. Local and small people cannot travel. can’t u make it Rs. 50/= for 5 kilometre.
2 nitin ~ Jan 26, 2011 at 10:21 pm
Hi all,
Radio tuk tuk is nothing but a giant leap fo faith. Take their name and jump in the well… If they feel like they will rescue you otherwise.. Who even has the courtsey to call up and say.. Sorry sir we are overbooked, kindly make some other arrangments.
Yesterday, 26-1-11, i booked a tuk tuk for 8.30pm pickup from awho society sohna road gurgaon to huda metro station. But nothing cam till the set time, no auto , no msg with contact details, no phone call,I call up the helpline, they give me a drivers number, i myself call him up and he is in dlf phase 3, (oops), he promises to call up the call centre and get me another tuk tuk,. He calls back n says .. Sir tuk tuk is on the way. Another hour of wait… N nothing comes..
Take away: for a 7 km ride when a nornal auto n a ‘radio tuk tuk’ are equally fleecing, the bad guys (normal autos) have the courtsey not to ditch you.. Atleast the pirates have a CODE.
My rating: abysmal and unreliable service.. I wont take my chances in an emergency.
3 SD ~ Apr 26, 2011 at 1:09 am
I called for a radio tuk tuk at 9:00 am today 26/Apr 2011 for a pick up at 11:15am from Suncity to Gurgaon HUDA Metro Station. The booking was confirmed and I was told I would receive a SMS or call confirming the same. Did not receive anything, so called them at 10:45 am to check on it. I was assured that the tuk tuk will be at the address at the designated time. Fine, waited till 11:20 am, no message, no call. So I called them back and the phones kept hunting for a line. Tried several times and then the phone was answered. I was told that the tuk tuk would be there in 5 minutes. Waiting waiting…still no show. Now it is 11:40 am, I called again only to be told that I had cancelled the booking !
I was left with no choice but the make my own arrangements. Just as I was on my way I get a call from the tuk tuk driver, saying he is at my address. Well, I thought I cancelled the booking!
I am extremely disappointed with the customer service. If you cannot deliver then say so, don’t give us false assurances. I think I am better off with the radio cabs. I know one thing for sure they will turn up at least 10-15 minutes before the booking time.
4 Tiya ~ May 27, 2011 at 3:11 am
Hi All,
Radio Tuk Tuk is not at all reliable, So please avoid booking Tuk Tuk in case of Emergencies.
Tuk Tuk Hired all the “Garbage People” at its Call Center, They dont know how to talk and give customer Service.
Because of Tuk Tuk, I missed my Train. I wanted to sue them for this
5 Venkatesan ~ Jun 26, 2011 at 10:03 am
Hi All
I agree with Tiya’s comment on call center execuitves working with Radio Tuk Tuk. They don’t respond well to the calls and disconnect the phone immdly. No courtesy extended to the customers. for a service, we need to call 4-5 times. The phone no. 0124-2343434 is very noisy and unable to hear their voice.
6 Rajendra ~ Jul 31, 2011 at 5:35 am
one of the worst services ….these people dont have any responsibility. You do the booking ..you will get a booking ID but tuk-tuk will never appear..after making several call you will get all rubbish statements for customer care. From Last 3 time when i booked tuk tuk..no one appeared and i was left on my own arrangements and because of this one time i miss my train also.
so readers please don’t relay on tuk tuk.
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