35000 Auto Drivers Reached
The Namma Auto project in Bangalore is involved in providing access to green auto rickshaws for drivers but is addressing the most vulnerable among the 2 stroke owners who have either not been able to mobilize resources to make the shift or are not creditworthy. The project focuses on building a sustainable means of living for the rickshaw drivers and their families by helping them secure auto-rickshaws at a better interest rate as well as providing regular training sessions on safety, customer service and a means to a sustainable living.
The work being done in Bangalore is focused in the areasof :
- Capacity building
- Facilitating loans
- Organising drivers into a federative structure
- Identifying policy gaps and promoting discussions
It is essential that the auto-rickshaw becomes environmentally, economically, financially and socially efficient for passengers and operators. The project has reached out to over 30,000 auto drivers and helped in processing low-interest loans to buy new eco-friendly auto-rickshaws.
From a baseline of less than 1% drivers having any insurance coverage, project has already enrolled over 1100 drivers in to insurance schemes.It is in the process of registering a co-operative society with over 1520 drivers and their family members as share-holders with an aim to take it to 2500 by end of the year.
