Hyderabad: Exchange of visiting cards is common among professionals, but don’t be surprised on receiving one from autorickshaw drivers in Hyderabad. City autorickshaw unions, especially those providing service to college students, have made their own visiting cards. The cards have information of the driver and the union – with name, contact and type of service provided. They are given to the parents, assuring security and punctuality.

Shanawaz Khan, union leader of Auto Service at a degree college in Begumpet, said, “Around 1,000 cards were printed a month ago and 800 have already been distributed. The cards are mostly given to parents who enquire about the drivers. At the Begumpet autorickshaw  stand, we have a union and 60 autorickshaws function under me. However, at other colleges, every driver has his own card. I plan to print ID cards for the union as well.”

Earlier, the union used to give chits, but it later shifted to cards. They also maintain clients’ records including contact number and address. Autorickshaw driver Mohd Ibrahim added, “Autorickshaw drivers control the traffic on college routes; we have several issues with the traffic officials who don’t allow us to park. We check on strangers standing outside colleges and also keep a watch on eve-teasing. If a driver is preoccupied, another autorickshaw is immediately sent to the client’s address. I provide monthly or annual services, the fare starts from Rs 1,500, depending on the distance”

Shalini Misra, B.Com student at Somajiguda Degree College, said, “Since my first year, I have hired one Sheik Nasir, and till date I haven’t faced any issues. My parents have all the details about him.”