CHECK OUT THESE INTERESTING VARIATIONS AND NICK-NAMES FOR TUK TUKS FOUND AROUND THE WORLD

How many different auto rickshaw types, designs, and variations are there?  Let’s check out a few of the many different types of auto rickshaws from around the world.

An auto rickshaw also known as a tuk-tuk is a motorized version of the traditional pulled rickshaw or cycle rickshaw.

SUDAN: 

Rickshaws, known as “Raksha” in Sudan most common mean of transportation followed by the bus in the capital Khartoum.

 

TANZANIA: 

Locally known as “bajaji“

 

EGYPT: 

Locally named the “toktok,” the rickshaw is found in some parts of Egypt.

 

 

NIGERIA: 

In Lagos Tuk Tuks are known as “keke“

INDIA: 

There are two main types of auto-rickshaws in India. In older versions, the engines were below the driver’s seat, while in newer versions engines are in the rear.   in Delhi there also used to be a variant (now outlawed) powered by a Harley-Davidson engine called the phat-phati. As of 2018 India has about 1.5 million battery-powered, three-wheeled rickshaws on its roads. Some 11,000 new ones hit the streets each month.

 
 
 A Bit of History:  

A ride by a three-wheeler autorickshaw in India is commonplace and would usually not attract any attention. However, there is a particular breed of three-wheeler that has left an indelible imprint in the minds of people who were fortunate to have experienced it. This was the “phatphatis” or “phatphats” of Delhi. Legend has it that British troops had left behind several Harley Davidson motorbikes when they departed from India. Some enterprising Indians purchased these bikes, added on a gearbox (probably from a Willys jeep), welded on a passenger compartment that was good for four passengers, and put the highly unusual and unconventional vehicle onto the roads of Delhi as a “taxi” of sorts.

Traveling in one of these “phatphatis” was a delight. Driven (ridden?) often by a burly Sardarji or a Haryanvi Jat, these vehicles would emit a deep staccato bellow that gave it the name “phatphati” or “phatphat”.

The driver straddled the vehicle as one would a motorcycle. The passengers in front faced forward, while those at the rear faced the rear. The vehicle had a roof made of tarpaulin covered in plastic and the sides had no windows – just an opening. –

Thanks to https://hurryup1.wordpress.com/tag/phat-phati/ for historical info

 

 

MADAGASCAR:

Known as “bajaji” in the north and “tuk-tuk” or “tik-tik” in the east

BANGLADESH: 

Auto rickshaws are locally called “baby taxis” and more recently “CNGs” due to their fuel source, compressed natural gas.

 

CAMBODIA: 

Different from tuk-tuks in most of the world each has four wheels and is a motorcycle (which leans) and trailer (which does not).

 

GUATEMALA:

Vehicles are referred to as tuk-tuks in Guatemala.

CUBA: 

“Cocotaxi” is an auto rickshaw-type taxi vehicle in Cuba. The name comes from the word coco, which means coconut. The shell of the body is yellow and is typically round, giving it the appearance of a half-coconut.

PAKISTAN: 

In addition to auto-rickshaws in many cities in Pakistan, there are motorcycle rickshaws, called “chand gari” (moon car) or “chingchi” (after the Chinese company that 1st brought them to the market)

THAILAND: 

The “Tuk Tuk” name is onomatopoeic, mimicking the sound of a small (often two-cycle) engine. An equivalent English term would be “putt-putt”

 

ITALY: 

Commonly used in Italy since the late 1940s, The Piaggio Ape “Tukxi” designed by the Vespa creator is the most popular model.

 

UNITED KINGDOM: 

Tuk Tuks & Auto Rickshaws were first introduced into the UK by Tukshop in 2004.

EL SALVADOR: 

“mototaxi’ or “moto” is the El Salvadoran version of the auto-rickshaw.

 

CHINA: 

Called sān lún chē and sometimes sān bèng zǐ  – meaning three-wheeler or tricycle. The word tuk tuk is transliterated as dū dū chē –  beep beep car.

 

INDONESIA: 

Auto rickshaws are called “Bajay’ or “Bajaj” Outside of Jakarta, the bentor-style auto rickshaw is ubiquitous, with the passenger cabin mounted as a sidecar.

PHILIPPINES:  

Referred to as “tricycles” – in Filipino traysikel and Cebuano traysikol.  Usual design is a passenger or cargo sidecar fitted to a motorbike.

SRI LANKA: 

Auto rickshaws are known as “three-wheelers” tuk-tuks or “trishaws“

 

As we have zoomed through the colorful world of tuk-tuks and auto-rickshaws, it’s clear these quirky rides are more than just a way to get from A to B. They’re a vibrant expression of the cultures they zip around in. From the electrifying phat-phati of India to the sleek Raksha of Sudan, each one tells a story. They’re not just vehicles; they’re rolling ambassadors of local charm and ingenuity. So next time you hop into one of these lively little chariots, remember, you’re not just taking a ride, you’re taking a journey into the heart of a culture! 

For an entertaining Tuk Tuk ride and sightseeing tour in San Francisco make sure you check out Lucky Tuk Tuk.