CHAPTER II

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

INTRODUCTION

Livelihood challenges is the term used to describe the practices at work place
that acknowledge and aim to support the needs of the respondents in achieving a
balance between the demands of their personal and work place. A good work
life balance enables them to thrive and at the same time enables the employees
to easily combine work with new aspiration and responsibilities. Auto rickshaw
drivers play very important role for our society. Millions of commuters mainly
depend on the auto rickshaw drivers for safe journey and to reach their
destination. The work of the auto rickshaw drivers is full of responsibility. They
are responsible for safety and punctuality also. This job requires a high level of
concentration and alertness, when auto comes to signals and immediate
environment.

2.1 OBJECTIVES

General Objective
To study about the living conditions and challenges faced by the auto-rickshaw
drivers in Dombivli. Auto drivers have a lifestyle that is not conducive to good
health. In addition to their exposure to noise and air pollution, the job does not
provide the same opportunities for social contact as many other jobs, and shift
work , unsocial hours etc. can disrupt both home life and social activity. This
lacuna is leading to many other problems in their lives.
The objectives of the present study are to understand the factors influencing the
auto-rickshaw sector to find out the underlying reasons that bring about
distorted pricing and its inter-linkages with the drivers ‘behaviour. Further, the
impact of de-licensing of the sector and its transition to the open permit system
will be studied to formulate a future course of action. In addition to the above,
the models of training provided by various driving schools will be studied to
find out their role in modifying driver behaviour. Lastly, it aims to draw
parallels with other competitive modes of transport along with elucidating the
supply chain management to bring together various stakeholders of the business
to reach a policy solution.

Specific Objectives

The following were the specific objectives on which the analysis is built.
1. To understand the challenges of auto drivers due to the increase of private
vehicles.
2. To identify the effect of increase of fuel price on their income.
3. To understand the impact of online taxi services over auto rickshaw.
4. To study the effect of the increase in tax and insurance on the auto drivers.
5. To study the health issues of Auto drivers

2.2 Hypothesis

1. Most of Auto rickshaw pullers are less educated.

2. Life style of auto rickshaw pullers depend on auto rickshaw.
3. Economical condition of auto rickshaw pullers is not good
4. To improve economical condition of auto rickshaw pullers they need to
drive auto rickshaw.
2.3 Scope of the Study

In this study, I will evaluate the study of social and economic status of Auto
rickshaw pullers coming under Dombivli area. But in my research, I have used
different criteria. For example, it is necessary to study the social status of an
auto rickshaw pullers and their financial status. Also how is the standard of
living of auto rickshaw pullers? In this research, I have studied how there is
daily routines. Not only this, what are the provisions made by the state
government for these auto rickshaw pullers? And if they do, does it reach auto
rickshaw pullers? Or not reaching? How many auto rickshaw pullers have
been affected by this scheme or provision so far? Or not? I have also consider
this in my study. I am going to understand every problem that comes to them
and I have also studied here what kind of social and economic situation these
auto rickshaw pullers of dombivli city have to face while working without
understanding

The present study is conducted in the city of Dombivli. It will provide

information about the earnings and expenditure pattern of auto drivers and their
lifestyle in Dombivli city. Many people depend on these services, and it also
helps to understand the socio-economic background of Rickshaw pullers. The
Rickshaw pullers are facing many problems in this; the research study will help
to suggest suitable recommendations to overcome those problems. The survey
will focused on a number of details pertaining to ownership, fare structures,
management, Characteristics of users and drivers can be assessed in terms of
trip purposes served by auto-rickshaw for example work, education, shopping,
health care and recreation.
2.4 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

We can see Rickshaw puller’s all over India But in this project we are going
concentrate on a particular area for this study and the Limitations are as follows:
1) This project or study contains details of only the Rickshaw Pullers.
2) This project is only limited to Dombivali city.
3) In this project concentrates only on the Socio-Economic conditions of
Rickshaw Pullers.
4) This Project has considered only Dombivali city i.e East and West region
for this study.

2.5 Significance Of The study

The study is relevant since auto rickshaw drivers, a considerable group of

population in our society facing many challenges in the newly evolving socio
economic situations. Today huge investment is demanded for the sustenance of
their job because of hiked fuel price, insurance premium, tax and also the
purchase price of new vehicles. There is a high need of addressing the issues
and challenges faced by these drivers in order effectively frame welfare policies
and schemes for their betterment. It is the responsibility of the government to
provide facilities for auto rickshaw drivers.

2.6 Selection of the Problem:

1) To understand the Socio- Economic conditions of the Rickshaw Pullers

2) To understand the social conditions of the Rickshaw Pullers
3) To understand the cultural issues.
4) Are Rickshaw Pullers treated equally in the society
 5) Due they get any mediclaim from government or any other organisations.
6) To see whether the Rickshaw Pullers union gives proper guidance to the
Rickshaw Pullers

2.7 PILOT STUDY

A pilot study is normally small in comparison with the main experiment and
therefore can provide only limited information on the sources and magnitude of
variation of response the measures. A pilot study has been conducted from 40
Rickshaw Pullers in order to get a better understanding on the problem. This
study is conducted in Dombivali City
Pilot study on auto rickshaw drivers enabled to measure the following criteria:-
1. The feasibility of study
2. Most effective method for data collection
3. The pathetic conditions of the respondents in the locality
4. A pilot study was conducted in Dombivli.

2.8 SAMPLE SIZE

The sampling unit is auto-rickshaw users and drivers.

Required sample size is calculated from the following formula:
SS = p (1-p) × (Z/E) 2
Where:
SS = Sample Size, or the number of responses required to be sure that the
answers truly reflect the population.
p = Sample Proportion, or the percentage of the sample that uses Auto-
rickshaw. The worst case is 50%, and that should be used to determine the level
of accuracy for a sample.
Z = Z-value (e.g. 1.96 at the 95% confidence level)
E = Margin of Error, or a measure of the variation within the data. The smaller
this value is the more uniform the data.
Confidence level = A percentage representing the how often the true percentage
of the population who would pick an answer would lie in the confidence
interval.
Assuming a confidence level of 95%, a margin of error 5% and a Sample
Proportion of 0.90, a sample size of 40 would be required to be sure that each
answer truly reflects the population. The total of 40 driver’s questionnaire
response was received.

2.9 DATA Collection:

Source of data

The characteristics of auto-rickshaw drivers and users in Dombivli were

examined through questionnaire surveys. We are identifying location on the
selection of a particular route in the Dombivli. The various factors depend on
the users of public transport. The questionnaire is based on socioeconomic
characteristic and trip information of users.

The following data are collected from respondents.

(a) The quality and choice determination of each individual drivers.
(b) Socio-economic characteristics of each drivers such as age and gender
information, occupation, vehicle ownership, monthly income etc.
(c) The variation of trip related which represented by transportation mode,
travel purpose and average waiting time on the stand.
(d) The feature of transport system precise to trip related such as travel time in
minutes and travel cost.

Primary Data
Primary data was collected through the field visit and through a self-structured
questionnaire.
Secondary Data
Secondary data comprises of information from documents, books, articles,
journals, reports of surveys and studies etc.

Design of Questionnaire
First of all, we were conducted a pilot questionnaire survey. The questions
related to the socio-economic condition. The socio-economic characteristic of
auto users are determined by considering factors such as age, gender,
occupation, monthly income and possession of private vehicles. Travel
characteristics included trip purpose, trip distance, type of auto-rickshaw prefer,
average travel time, average waiting time on the stand, travel cost, choice of
mode of travel etc. as well as the characteristics of auto drivers were determined
by considering factors such as age, educational level, occupation, daily income,
fuel cost, maintenance cost etc.it also contained questions which showed
ranking of other mode of public transportation. After conducted questionnaire
survey, the variables response, preferences and suggestions of users and drivers
are shortlisted and further, the questionnaire were refined
2.10 TOOLS AND DATA COLLECTION

Structured questionnaire was prepared on the basis of the pilot study conducted.
Questionnaire include the socio economic background of the auto drivers, the
challenges faced due to increase of private vehicles, effect of the increase of
fuel price on their income, effect of increase in tax and insurance on the auto
drivers and the major health issues of auto drivers apart from various sub
question covers major questions.

1) Religion: The auto Rickshaw drivers selected for this survey belonged to
several religions:
Hindu, Islam, Buddhist, Christianity, Jainism, etc. as they were chosen
randomly. Majority of them (75 per cent) are found belonging to Hindu religion.

2) Caste: All the auto-rickshaw drivers, which were included in the sample,
belonged to different castes of Hindu religion. All of them were broadly
categorized as
(i) Open Category
(ii) Backward Communities
(iii) Scheduled Castes and Tribes.
3) Marital Status: 90 percent of the Auto rickshaw drivers are married and
most of them are living with their family. Remaining 10 per cent of the Auto
rickshaw drivers are unmarried because of different reasons. Some have
considered it too early to marry and some not have married because of
economic reasons.
4) Educational Level: 100 per cent of Auto rickshaw drivers are literate.
5) Age: Many of the Auto rickshaw drivers are either young or middle aged.
Auto-rickshaw driving is a strenuous job. So a majority of Auto rickshaw
drivers are youngsters and middle aged. Some young people take up auto-
driving as a temporary measure. They would like to leave auto rickshaw driving
as soon as they get a good alternative.
6) Mother Tongue: Dombivli is the city of Maharashtra. Marathi is the
language of the state.Of course, many Marathi live in the city. As it is a popular
city, people who belong to the states of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, UP have
come to Dombivli to make a living. Many Auto rickshaw drivers, including
Auto rickshaw drivers from another state, speak and understand Marathi. Most
of them can read and write in more than one language.
7) Size of the family: The size of the family is not too big. In many cases, the
number of children does not exceed two.
8) Migration: One-third of the auto drivers are migrants. They had migrated
from neighbouring areas in search of the subsistence.

WORK, INCOME, EXPENDITURE AND LIFE:

1) Income: Average income of an auto-rickshaw driver is Rs. 15000/- per
month. It varies between Rs. 10000p.m.and Rs. 18000 per month. Average daily
income works out minimum of Rs. 500, a maximum of Rs. 800 and an average
of Rs. 650. Majority of the auto-rickshaw drivers earn@ Rs. 12,000/- per month
2) Working Hours: Majority of the auto-rickshaw drivers (55 per cent) work
for 10 hours, a day.
3) Work Hours and Income: There is positive correlation between average
working hours per day and average income per month.
4) Family Budget: Average total expenditure per month is more than average
total income, except in case of few auto rickshaw drivers who are found living
away from their families. Some of the auto-rickshaw drivers are found wasting
their income on alcohol consumption, resulting into costly borrowings from
friends and moneylenders which results in the deprivation in education of their
children and the family environment.
5) Unions: Auto-rickshaw drivers are union members. Auto-rickshaw drivers
unions and associations have organised several strikes, dharnas, protests and
processions. Reasons for such strikes, dharnas, protests and processions usually
include harassment and booking of the false cases by the police, existence of
middlemen in the RTO's office, revision of auto fares etc.
6) Work conditions: Auto-rickshaw drivers work for all the seven days in a
week. ARDs are always exposed to pollution and traffic related hazards.
7) Standard of living: A great majority of the auto-drivers though have some
furniture and other household items like cot, table, chairs, Almira, pressure
cooker, electric fan, tape recorder, television set, wristwatches, wall clock, etc.
the furniture and other assets at home are found of very poor quality or old. All
this speaks of low standard of living of the Auto Drivers.