Of the 1,70,000 autos that operate in the city, about 50-60 are driven by a group of middle-aged women. Clad in heavy-duty khaki shirts and with well-oiled tight plaits that won’t deter their vision, they carry out their daily routine: dropping their regular ‘savaris’, Ola and Uber pick-ups and night riders to railway stations and bus stands as well.

Bubbling with energy, even as she gave her interview at 8 pm, auto driver PV Raji Ashok was concerned about getting her name right. “My initials are PV, not PB. ‘V’ for Victory,” she clarified.

 

“Uber has selected me as one of their star drivers because I have the highest rating in the area,” said the 46-year-old who has been driving her auto in and around Perambur for 20 years now. 

“It’s a great occupation for women. I strongly recommend young girls to become auto drivers. I have trained many for free as well. But, they are hesitant to become auto drivers as male drivers dominate the scene. They opt for household jobs and work as maids instead.”

Another auto driver, A Parameswari, said savaris at Koyambedu usually peak at night and therefore, most women don’t drive autos there. “I am the only woman among the 460 men who takes savaris from Koyambedu bus stand,” said the 40-year-old who has been an auto driver for 19 years now.

 

Women auto drivers across the city largely drive in George Town—or ‘Fort’, as Parameswari calls it—and take up savaris at the Central railway station. Several women drive autos across Velachery, Anna Nagar and Semmancheri as well.

 

Many others opt to drive locally or stick to dropping kids to and from schools and tuition classes between 9 am and 6 pm, she explained. “I work 11 pm to 6 am shifts mostly, but sometimes, I work 3 pm to 10 am shifts also. I don’t mind working during nights,” added Parameswari, who has also been driving a taxi for ten years now.

 

“In fact, sometimes, when the buses get crowded, some women will want to get dropped to long distance destinations like Tirupati, Tiruchy and Bengaluru. I will quickly park my auto, bring my taxi and drop them off,” she added.

P Bavani (43), an auto driver in Anna Nagar, said customers are often surprised when they realise a woman is driving their auto. “I wear my shades when I take Ola/Uber rides so that I can see my phone screen even in the sun. 

Because of my coolers, riders can’t see my face properly. I love seeing their surprised expressions when they realise it’s a woman driving them! It’s a jolly job.”

Driving locally in the residential area, Bavani divulges that she drives a lot more regular customers than random savaris. They call her up when they want to commute or when they want their kids to be dropped off by a trusted person.

In 2007, a new amendment — Rule 8 of the Central Motor Vehicle Act — mandated that the minimum educational qualification for an applicant to obtain a licence to drive a transport vehicle was a pass in Class 8. It also stated that those who drive public service vehicles, including auto, bus and taxi, must obtain a badge from the transport department to be eligible for the job.

 

“Since we got our licences 20 years ago, we are in the safe zone. Younger women auto drivers however, claim they have left their licence at home whenever the older ones ask them. 

I think they don’t have it as they have not cleared Class 8,” said Parameswari. “I think this rule is unfair. Anyone who can drive properly, understand road signs, and clear the driving test should be given a licence. If I had not been given mine, I would have been cooped up at home for all these years. Look at me now, I have the confidence of an IAS officer!” she added.

“There is a saying in Tamil— for every 100 good people, there is one bad person,” said Raji, adding, “I can tell you with my years of experience that the saying is true. I have received support from many people who hail me as an inspiration, but I have also had a few bad experiences with stalkers or men who make inappropriate remarks.”

 

Having signed up with Uber eight months ago, and Ola two years ago, her phone number being accessible to riders has been a problem for her. “Even last month, one man kept calling me all through the night and talked nonsense,” explained Raji. “I have read about the Me Too movement, and realised that such people with bad behaviour can be expected in all sorts of occupations,” she said.

On the other hand, Bavani claimed she had faced no misbehaviour from anyone, when quizzed about her occupation. “I have been driving for over 15 years and the only problem I face is the increasing traffic. The roads are growing more packed with each passing day!” she said.