June 9, 2025 • 12 mins
Megan Nollet and Patrick Woodward talk about a mode of transportation very popular, mostly in countries around Asia.
https://spotlightenglish.com/uncategorized/the-mighty-tuk-tuk/
Download our app for Android at http://bit.ly/spotlight-android
Download our app for iOS at http://bit.ly/spotlight-apple
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spotlightradio
Are you learning English? Are you looking for a way to practice your English? Listen to Spotlight to learn about people and places all around the world. You can learn English words, and even practice English by writing a comment.
Visit our website to follow along with the script: http://spotlightenglish.com
https://spotlightenglish.com/uncategorized/the-mighty-tuk-tuk/
Download our app for Android at http://bit.ly/spotlight-android
Download our app for iOS at http://bit.ly/spotlight-apple
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spotlightradio
Are you learning English? Are you looking for a way to practice your English? Listen to Spotlight to learn about people and places all around the world. You can learn English words, and even practice English by writing a comment.
Visit our website to follow along with the script: http://spotlightenglish.com
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Welcome to Spotlight. I'm Megan Nolett.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
And I'm Patrick Woodward. Spotlight uses a special English method
of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand no
matter where in the world they live.
Speaker 1 (00:34):
This is the sound of a tuktuk or auto rickshaw.
These small, brightly colored vehicles have only three wheels. Some
tuk tuks have no windows. Their engines are not very powerful,
(00:58):
but the humble tuktu has a broad appeal for millions
of people. The auto rickshaw is the most important form
of transportation that they have.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Today's Spotlight is all about the tuktok. We look at
how these vehicles have helped countries improve their economies. We
examine the important role tuktook's play in transportation. Together, we
will explore the huge power of the small tuktok.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
Before the auto rickshaw, there was the rickshaw. These human
powered carts usually had two wheels. A person would sit
in a seat at the back while another pulled the
cart behind them. A strong rickshaw driver could pull two
(02:08):
or three people, but pulling a rickshaw is hard on
the body. Rickshaw drivers once worked seventeen to eighteen hours
a day to survive. They ran tens of miles a day.
(02:31):
Many countries have banned this kind of transportation because it
is so bad for the driver.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
Tuktooks were first invented in Japan as a less expensive
form of car during the nineteen thirties, but these quickly
found business applications after World War II. Tuktook could carry
four or five people, many more than a rickshaw, but
(03:07):
they cost less than a car or truck. These vehicles
used less fuel, they were easier to maintain. Most importantly,
tuktooks were easier on drivers' bodies.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
Tuktooks soon became popular all over Southeast Asia, especially in
large cities like Bangkok. Cities like Bangkok have heavy traffic.
It is difficult for big cars and trucks to move.
(03:53):
Tuk tuks are a perfect solution to this problem. These
smaller vehicles can get into places others cannot. Tuktuks can
turn more quickly and get out of dangerous situations where
(04:13):
traffic signals are not clear. Cam Weir's is a travel writer.
He rode in a tuktuk while visiting India. He said.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
Most places where vehicles cross do not have lights. Traffic
rarely stops street signs are just a guide.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
Tuktoks also have other advantages. In large cities, These take
up less space than bigger vehicles. It is easier to
park and store them. Drivers do not have to pay
as much for the space. It is so easy to
(05:05):
repair an old tuktok that someone good with an engine
can do it on their own. As time went on,
they became a cheap alternative for transport. Auto ripshaws are
less expensive for drivers and for those who ride.
Speaker 1 (05:29):
Doctor Sujai Suneitha has lived in Hyderabad, India for over
thirty years. He and his wife started a small hospital
twenty years ago. Many of the Zuneitha's patients are poor.
(05:50):
They do not own cars or motorcycles. They must walk
to the hospital. They cannot walk if it is too far.
They can only afford a ride in a tuktuuk or
(06:11):
a bus. Doctor Sunita says.
Speaker 4 (06:18):
Tuktooks are one of the cheapest and most helpful ways
to travel in India. Some patients are tuktook drivers themselves.
They store their vehicles outside of the hospital when they
come for treatment. I also take a tuktok to the
(06:39):
hospital each day.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
People visiting these cities also like to use tuk tuks. Today,
the bright colored tuktooks of Bangkok are famous. Some people
visiting the city prefer to use these vehicles instead of cars.
A tuktook driver must know the best way around the city.
(07:11):
Sometimes drivers share the history of the city with travelers,
or they tell stories about experiences they have had in
the city. They are friendly and welcoming. This adds to
the enjoyment of the trip.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
The tuktook's design also makes the ride more interesting. There
are no doors, travelers can see, hear, and smell everything
around them. Many visitors wish to take at least one
(07:53):
tuktook ride before returning home. Their trip would not be
complete without experiencing it. The tuktuk has become a symbol
of South Asia's culture.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Today, a person can find a tuktok in almost any
country they go to. They are popular in Egypt, Pakistan, China,
South Africa, and Italy. In twenty twenty two, there were
ninety two thousand tuk tuks in Delhi, India alone. Even
(08:38):
the United States of America has some auto rickshaws in
its larger cities. Peter Metzler is the creative director of
the Manhattan Rickshaw Company in New York City. His auto
rickshaws are built like electric bicycles, he told the Smithsonian magazine.
Speaker 5 (09:02):
When technology met the rickshaw, everything changed. Modern tuktuks have
liquid breaks, They have devices to stop harmful movement. They
have complete lighting systems, seat belts, full weather coverings, steel frames,
(09:24):
and lightly made bodies.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
One issue that tuktuks have is the pollution that their
engines create. Many auto rickshaws are still quite old. The
people who made them did not know about the harm
(09:52):
that pollution could cause. Some countries have had to ban
cir certain tuktooks from their cities because of these problems.
Others have begun replacing traditional tuktoks with electric ones. These
(10:15):
new tuk tuks are a little more expensive for drivers,
but one day, these more energy efficient vehicles may become
the future of transportation in many countries.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
People in many nations depend on tuktooks every day. They
make money with tuktooks. They ride in auto rickshaws to
work or to school. They discover history and culture on
these vehicles, and they do it all while riding on
three wheels.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
Have you ever written in a Tuktouk. Did you like
or dislike it? You can leave a comment on our
website at www dot Spotlight English dot com. You can
also find us on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Blue Sky and x.
(11:28):
You can also get our programs delivered directly to your
Android or Apple device through our free official Spotlight English app.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
The writer of this program was Pete Anderson. The producer
was Dan Christman. The voices you heard were from the
United States and the United Kingdom. All quotes were adapted
for this program and voiced by Spotlight. This program is
called the Tuk Tuk.
Speaker 1 (12:02):
We hope you can join us again for the next
Spotlight program. Goodbye,
Welcome to Spotlight. I'm Megan Nolett.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
And I'm Patrick Woodward. Spotlight uses a special English method
of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand no
matter where in the world they live.
Speaker 1 (00:34):
This is the sound of a tuktuk or auto rickshaw.
These small, brightly colored vehicles have only three wheels. Some
tuk tuks have no windows. Their engines are not very powerful,
(00:58):
but the humble tuktu has a broad appeal for millions
of people. The auto rickshaw is the most important form
of transportation that they have.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Today's Spotlight is all about the tuktok. We look at
how these vehicles have helped countries improve their economies. We
examine the important role tuktook's play in transportation. Together, we
will explore the huge power of the small tuktok.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
Before the auto rickshaw, there was the rickshaw. These human
powered carts usually had two wheels. A person would sit
in a seat at the back while another pulled the
cart behind them. A strong rickshaw driver could pull two
(02:08):
or three people, but pulling a rickshaw is hard on
the body. Rickshaw drivers once worked seventeen to eighteen hours
a day to survive. They ran tens of miles a day.
(02:31):
Many countries have banned this kind of transportation because it
is so bad for the driver.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
Tuktooks were first invented in Japan as a less expensive
form of car during the nineteen thirties, but these quickly
found business applications after World War II. Tuktook could carry
four or five people, many more than a rickshaw, but
(03:07):
they cost less than a car or truck. These vehicles
used less fuel, they were easier to maintain. Most importantly,
tuktooks were easier on drivers' bodies.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
Tuktooks soon became popular all over Southeast Asia, especially in
large cities like Bangkok. Cities like Bangkok have heavy traffic.
It is difficult for big cars and trucks to move.
(03:53):
Tuk tuks are a perfect solution to this problem. These
smaller vehicles can get into places others cannot. Tuktuks can
turn more quickly and get out of dangerous situations where
(04:13):
traffic signals are not clear. Cam Weir's is a travel writer.
He rode in a tuktuk while visiting India. He said.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
Most places where vehicles cross do not have lights. Traffic
rarely stops street signs are just a guide.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
Tuktoks also have other advantages. In large cities, These take
up less space than bigger vehicles. It is easier to
park and store them. Drivers do not have to pay
as much for the space. It is so easy to
(05:05):
repair an old tuktok that someone good with an engine
can do it on their own. As time went on,
they became a cheap alternative for transport. Auto ripshaws are
less expensive for drivers and for those who ride.
Speaker 1 (05:29):
Doctor Sujai Suneitha has lived in Hyderabad, India for over
thirty years. He and his wife started a small hospital
twenty years ago. Many of the Zuneitha's patients are poor.
(05:50):
They do not own cars or motorcycles. They must walk
to the hospital. They cannot walk if it is too far.
They can only afford a ride in a tuktuuk or
(06:11):
a bus. Doctor Sunita says.
Speaker 4 (06:18):
Tuktooks are one of the cheapest and most helpful ways
to travel in India. Some patients are tuktook drivers themselves.
They store their vehicles outside of the hospital when they
come for treatment. I also take a tuktok to the
(06:39):
hospital each day.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
People visiting these cities also like to use tuk tuks. Today,
the bright colored tuktooks of Bangkok are famous. Some people
visiting the city prefer to use these vehicles instead of cars.
A tuktook driver must know the best way around the city.
(07:11):
Sometimes drivers share the history of the city with travelers,
or they tell stories about experiences they have had in
the city. They are friendly and welcoming. This adds to
the enjoyment of the trip.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
The tuktook's design also makes the ride more interesting. There
are no doors, travelers can see, hear, and smell everything
around them. Many visitors wish to take at least one
(07:53):
tuktook ride before returning home. Their trip would not be
complete without experiencing it. The tuktuk has become a symbol
of South Asia's culture.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Today, a person can find a tuktok in almost any
country they go to. They are popular in Egypt, Pakistan, China,
South Africa, and Italy. In twenty twenty two, there were
ninety two thousand tuk tuks in Delhi, India alone. Even
(08:38):
the United States of America has some auto rickshaws in
its larger cities. Peter Metzler is the creative director of
the Manhattan Rickshaw Company in New York City. His auto
rickshaws are built like electric bicycles, he told the Smithsonian magazine.
Speaker 5 (09:02):
When technology met the rickshaw, everything changed. Modern tuktuks have
liquid breaks, They have devices to stop harmful movement. They
have complete lighting systems, seat belts, full weather coverings, steel frames,
(09:24):
and lightly made bodies.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
One issue that tuktuks have is the pollution that their
engines create. Many auto rickshaws are still quite old. The
people who made them did not know about the harm
(09:52):
that pollution could cause. Some countries have had to ban
cir certain tuktooks from their cities because of these problems.
Others have begun replacing traditional tuktoks with electric ones. These
(10:15):
new tuk tuks are a little more expensive for drivers,
but one day, these more energy efficient vehicles may become
the future of transportation in many countries.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
People in many nations depend on tuktooks every day. They
make money with tuktooks. They ride in auto rickshaws to
work or to school. They discover history and culture on
these vehicles, and they do it all while riding on
three wheels.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
Have you ever written in a Tuktouk. Did you like
or dislike it? You can leave a comment on our
website at www dot Spotlight English dot com. You can
also find us on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Blue Sky and x.
(11:28):
You can also get our programs delivered directly to your
Android or Apple device through our free official Spotlight English app.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
The writer of this program was Pete Anderson. The producer
was Dan Christman. The voices you heard were from the
United States and the United Kingdom. All quotes were adapted
for this program and voiced by Spotlight. This program is
called the Tuk Tuk.
Speaker 1 (12:02):
We hope you can join us again for the next
Spotlight program. Goodbye,
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.