On Three Wheels

On Three Wheels

The tuktuk is a widely used form of urban transport in Bangkok and other cities in THAILAND. It is particularly popular where traffic congestion is a major problem. Tuktuks were introduced in Brighton, England on July 10, 2006, where a fleet of 12 (spelled TucTuc) operate using compressed natural gas, as the first motorised rickshaw service in Europe.

In CAMBODIA, the term tuktuk is used to refer to a motorcycle with a cabin attached to the rear. Siem Reap tuktuks are generally of the style of motorcycle and trailer. Phnom Penh tuktuks are by contrast one piece. They are the front end of a motorcycle comprising of steering, tank and engine/gearbox with a covered tray mounted at the back.

In LAOS, they are generally of the Phnom Penh style. They come as tuktuks or jumbo tuk-tuks. Jumbos have a larger 3 or 4-cylinder 4-stroke engine. While the smaller tuktuks carry similar loads to Cambodian tuktuks, jumbos' larger engine and cabin size allow for greater loads (up to 12 seated people at a squeeze) and higher top speeds.

In VIET NAM, tuktuks generally comprise the motorcycle and trailer style of Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.

Most tuktuks in SRI LANKA are a slightly modified Indian Bajaj model. Though there are some manufactured locally and increasingly imports from other countries.

A majority of auto rickshaws in INDIA have no doors or seatbelts. They are generally black or green in colour and have a yellow roof on the top. However the design normally depends on the state, and so does the colour. For example, the sides of an auto in Delhi are green (to signify their running on compressed natural gas) while in Hyderabad and Chennai they are yellow.

Unlike the tuktuk, the PHILIPPINE tricycle has a side car that is used to haul just about anything. Some are rigged up to haul live pigs and others haul tuna fish but most haul people.

Many parts of INDONESIA just have ojeks, or motorbikes with driver and you just hop on the back. The becak or three-wheeler is popular in Yogyakarta and is called king of the road. In Jakarta, bajaj are more popular. Bright orange and noisy easily describes a bajaj. These vehicles became popular in India where they were developed with Vespa and later imported to and built in Indonesia.

The trishaws in SINGAPORE came into use in 1914. But gone are those days when they plied the roads of the city state. These days, only tourists take the ride which may cost anywhere from S$10-S$50 (US$7-US$35).

Trishaws are called beca in MALAYSIA and can be found mainly in the tourist town of Mallaca and Penang. Like in most cities, the fares should be negotiated and settled before the ride.

This article appeared on www.asianewsnet.net [3]