These things are lamesome (really lame and yet somehow awesome). They are used as unofficial public transport in many parts of rural and suburban India (protip: suburbs have a very different connotation vis-à-vis economic status in India). I used to ride them quite often - from the train station to a rather remote wee township where I have family. The ride wouldn't leave the station until it had loaded up all the passengers. And I mean to the gills - that car carries about 20 people (somewhat precariously) and drives on roads that are about 5 feet wider than itself. The driver had an assistant/barker/conductor who had to first qualify as a contortionist-cum-daredevil to reach everyone and collect the fares. Do bear in mind that if running boards were available, there would be four or five people wedged on each side. Thankfully, the speed never seems to exceed 30 kph. Meeting another Trekker coming in the opposite direction was always fun. The two cars would shunt half their width on the shoulder (aah, who am I kidding, there was no shoulder!) and gingerly squeeze by while every passenger (and possibly the chassis itself) held their breath. Thing is, they run for-evah and are quite cheap to maintain. I, for one will be sad to see them disappear.