Three Wheels United
Three Wheels United aims to improve the lives of millions of auto-rickshaw drivers in India. By utilizing a clean technology we increase the income of auto-rickshaw drivers. At the same time we make a positive environmental impact.
Challenge
There are 5 million auto rickshaw drivers in India. About 20 million lives are dependent on these drivers’ income, which is a paltry 3 dollars per driver per day. The poor driver has no access to banks, no savings, and no social security. He does not even own his auto rickshaw in his lifetime and is in a vicious cycle of exploitation. He makes matters worse for himself by venting his frustration on the commuter and he is perceived as a menace. On top of that, can one imagine the amount of noise and air pollution created by 2 stroke auto rickshaws! We do understand that the auto-rickshaw ecosystem is in a mess right now.
Solution
Three Wheels United aims to bring about a holistic change in this ecosystem – particularly in the lives of the drivers – with our composite solution. The company is co-created with the auto rickshaw driver communities itself. We developed a three pillar solution: financial services, additional streams of income and a clean technology. We call our package “MyAuto”. To bring the solution to the drivers, we organize them into their own community.
Impact
We strive to improve earnings for the drivers by over 70 percent, reduce harmful emissions by 30 percent and improve the living conditions of the rickshaw drivers.
Check out this video made by the New York Times.
