Tuk-tuk is very popular among residents of the interior of SP and diversifies services: “Faster and cheaper” | Ribeirao Preto and Franca

Known for its preference for bicycles among residents, Bontal (SP) has in the last two years adopted a new transportation option. The famous tuk-tuk in Asian countries has gained popularity in the city, and the method of providing delivery and passenger transportation services has diversified.

Basically, a tuk-tuk is a type of motorcycle with an extended body. The vehicle is a popular means of transportation in India, and in South America it is very popular in Bolivia. Not far away, neighboring Sertauzinho (SP) has been a fan of the model for years.

In Pontal, 38 kilometers from Ribeirão Preto (SP), the flat geography of the municipality of 37,000 is conducive to vehicular movement. One of the amenities is agility, because it is faster than a bicycle; The space is larger than that of a motorcycle; The economy is greater than the economy of a car.

“It is a much faster means of transport and, for me, also cheaper value for money,” says housewife Camilla Gennari.

Product delivery is one of the main functions of tuk tuk in Bontal. Elenita Sofia dos Santos is the manager of a candy and party supplies store, and says using the car has made sales easier.

“Because of the pandemic, we created this store delivery system and it was very well received by the customers. They liked it. For them and for us, it was a good way to provide services, because we don’t have our own motivation.”

Pastry chef Juliana Di Paola is one of the customers who takes orders via tuk-tuk. They also use the service to introduce their products to customers.

“Their work is amazing. For me, it pays off, because in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, they are the ones who help us. It’s very good, very good.”

For housewife Camilla Gennari, the tuk-tuk is a “helping hand” in her daily routine with her children. The eldest son comes home from school with transportation.

“Since I have my youngest son, I can’t go to pick him up every day, so I choose tuk-tuk transportation.”

Driver Lindomar Soares is responsible for picking up the girl from school, and says the service has helped spread his business to other parents, attracting new clients.

“Then he goes to pick up the kids, and one of them says to his colleague: ‘Hey, great, your uncle is great.’ And then he starts using tuk-tuks and starts offering more rides.

When he lost his job, Soares started driving tuk-tuks to earn extra income.

“Then I started to enjoy it, my brother-in-law encouraged me and taught me and I continued to be active.

For Fernando da Silva Almeida, it was no different. When he left the factory he was working in, he invested in a tuk-tuk and never stopped.

“The city is growing a lot, and as places get further away, they call us more often. It’s much more economical.”

According to the city council, there is no specific project to regulate activity in the city. Municipal Traffic Director Gilberto Rodriguez de Mello informed that all tuk-tuk drivers are advised to document vehicles with red license plates.

According to the Traffic Law, the color is used for rented vehicles used to transport passengers or goods.

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