CNG rickshaws book passengers by running their own box office

People first inquire about the LCD and music system in the vehicle, say rickshaw drivers.



KARACHI: Why go to the movies when CNG rickshaws in the city are offering the same service inclusive of the fare? And the best part is there are no restrictions on bringing your own snacks.

Apart from offering cheaper fares as compared to other modes of public transport, such as cabs, these rickshaws now plan to outshine their competition by entertaining their customers with the latest movies and songs on their small LCD screens.

Fixed on the windscreen of the rickshaw - which one could argue must be somewhat distracting for the driver - the six to eight inch screen offers the passengers are a front seat view with speakers and woofers in the back.

“Passengers now first check whether the rickshaw has a sound system before they get in,” said 38-year-old Javed Khan, who installed a screen and music system in his brand new CNG rickshaw from Jackson Bazaar, Keamari.  It’s not only the passengers that need to be impressed - but also the families of the rickshaw drivers.

180,000

“You need to install a music system before showing your brand new rickshaw to your family,” said Javed, adding that they usually spend more money on the vehicle’s decoration than its actual price.

“Having a screen to play videos makes no difference [on the fare] but we still like to have it in our rickshaws,” says another driver Naqeeb Khan. He pointed out, however, that the drivers can’t see the screen while driving. “People prefer travelling on rickshaws with a music system, especially on outings such as going to the Clifton beach or to a wedding. When we are part of a marriage ceremony, we charge more.” Naqeeb also believed in spending on decorations as “it grabs the attention of people.”

As for keeping their rickshaws safe in a city like Karachi where a cell phone and a Mercedes-Benz are in equal danger of being stolen, he says that they try not to go into areas where there are high chances of robberies and snatchings.

“People usually steal batteries and screens from rickshaw as they are open,” says Naqeeb, adding that Rs50 is the amount they bribe the policemen with if caught playing loud music.

Calculated investments

A brand new CNG rickshaw costs around Rs180,000 and a high-quality music system with an LCD and woofer costs between Rs30,000 and Rs50,000,  in which the price of the screen ranges from Rs7,000 to Rs14,000.

These systems are available in the electronic markets in Saddar, Jackson Bazaar, Tariq Road and Gulistan-e-Jauhar - but the most famous is Jackson Bazaar where the electronic equipment comes mainly from Chaman border, Quetta.

Mohammad Amjad, a young electrician at the Jackson Bazaar, says he installs music systems in at least one or two rickshaws a day. With the introduction of screens which play files from a memory card or USB, Amjad’s work has increased as people have started installing the LCDs in rickshaws and trucks.

“CD and DVD players could not operate in rickshaws - LCDs, on the other hand, support memory cards and USB which can be used in any vehicle,” explains Amjad, who charges Rs800 for installation.

Rab Nawaz, who owns a shop at Jackson Bazaar, says they use their own electricians and install music systems in at least four to six vehicles daily.

According to Nawaz, the shop’s sales have increased since 2010 as people have started using LCDs and expensive music systems in their CNG rickshaws. “Around 90 per cent of the CNG rickshaws have high-quality music systems and they play music with full volume.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 17th, 2012.

COMMENTS (6)

surgeon | 11 years ago | Reply

how bad while earning halaal maal. They are adding impurities in it by playing music etc.

waqas | 11 years ago | Reply

@hmmm: Plus Accidents due to split attention :p

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