A Bengaluru-based founder and venture capitalist has sparked a wider conversation online after praising women auto-rickshaw drivers in the city for their calm, disciplined and considerate driving behaviour.
Sanjay Ramakrishnan, founder and general partner at Multiply Ventures, shared his observations on LinkedIn after travelling with three women auto drivers over the past few weeks. He described the experience as “refreshing” and said the contrast compared to many of his regular rides was “stark”.
Founder highlights safer driving habits
Ramakrishnan said he usually books autos through Namma Yatri and Rapido for short commutes in Bengaluru. According to him, the women drivers maintained steady speeds, followed traffic rules and avoided unnecessary honking.
He also noted that the women drivers gave space to pedestrians, slowed down near potholes and did not engage in risky behaviour such as signal jumping or wrong-side driving. The founder added that the rides reminded him “what considerate driving looks like”.
Social media users agree
The LinkedIn post quickly drew attention, with many users sharing similar experiences. Several commuters said they felt safer and more comfortable travelling with women drivers, while others called for ride-hailing platforms to provide an option to specifically choose women drivers.
The discussion also comes amid growing conversations around commuter safety and traffic discipline in Bengaluru. Reports indicate that the number of women auto drivers in the city has increased significantly in recent years, aided by training initiatives and the growing use of electric autos.