NAMES

Auto Rickshaws: A Rose by any other name...

Rickshaws come in three essential varieties depending on how they are powered. The original human powered pull carts have become outdated by bicycle and motor powered versions. While there is a great amount of similarity between these two types of vehicles they also have specific names that change and mutate from place to place even within a single national boundary.

(Bi)cycle rickshaws are generally referred to as pedi-cabs, velotaxi, cycle taxis, cyclos, bicitaxi or trishaw.
A single example of both cycle and motor powered rickshaws sharing a name is in Thailand: Samlor.

With an even more colorful and diverse population in cities internationally the auto rickshaw has endeared itself with many names and even more variations in spelling.

Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Kenya: Tuk Tuk, or tuktuk
Sri lanka and Malaysia: bajaj
England: tuctucs or tuc tucs, a variation on the Thai pronunciation.
Central America, predominantly in Peru and Guatemala: mototaxi, motoYour browser may not support display of this image.
Pakistan: Rickshah
India: autos, phat-phati north india, tempo, auto rickshaw, auto-rickshaw, autorikshaw, auto rikshaw, auto-rikshaw, motorized rickshaw, Motorized rikshaw, Tuktuk or Three wheeler.

Extended variations are also called: Share autos, seven-seaters or 7-seaters, shuttle rickshaws, Phat-a-phats, Polaamboo Vans and moto taxis.

Drivers are also commonly called auto wallahs.