POWAI: Mumbai has one of the best (pun intended) public bus systems in India. However, our red, single and double-decker buses are gradually being crippled by the city's mammoth traffic snarls. There's also an extensive system of suburban electric trains, but surviving through rush hour, isn't for the faint hearted. And then we have the metered black-and-yellow taxis, though they aren't very cost effective.

Enter the humble autorickshaw, almost synonymous with suburban travel in the city.

Though the three wheeled, two-stroke autorickshaws cause air pollution, they are undoubtedly the most convenient, economical, and easily available means of transport. They were developed to meet the demand for low cost, flexible, public transport in Mumbai's congested roads. The ‘auto’, as it is generally known, comes in two different versions—the three-wheeled petrol or diesel engine vehicle, which is the smaller model used for carrying three passengers, and the larger tempo,that is not quite so commonly seen.

With all their merits, autorickshaws can make a journey (especially a long one) quite unpleasant due to their terrible suspension systems. And with the pot-holed roads, the absence of good shock absorbers can be quite a pain in the back. This is why pregnant women and those suffering from spondilitis need to avoid them like the plague.

I can vouch for the fact that my day, and most definitely the first half of it, is heavily dependent on the whimsical mood swings of auto drivers.

To ferry or not to ferry is the question. On good days I am met with a grumpy nod followed by the pleasant click of a meter. Else, I am faced with that nonchalant, vacant stare of one who knows he's in control of the moment. It's terribly infuriating!

In fact, the sounds of those words conjure all sorts of visions for me: running through the roads, having to take the bus, being late for lectures and so on.

In Mumbai autos run only in the suburbs upto Mahim creek. This is probably the perfect arrangement because it is not economically viable for autos and taxis to solicit the same passengers. So autos monopolise the suburbs while taxis rule South Mumbai. And since the per capita income of residents of South Mumbai is higher they should be able to afford taxis.

Tresha Guha, a friend of mine who resides in Colaba, says she would hate those "wiggly rickshaws" crowding up the lanes of South Mumbai. She opines that since most of South Mumbai is connected by excellent bus routes, and the well-maintained roads, one doesn't need autos all.

So while autorickshaws might not be as synonymous to Mumbai as say, the vada pav is, it's difficult to imagine Mumbai roads without the familiar three-wheeled creature crawling on the roads.

We have grown to share a love-hate relationship with these adorable little beetles.