The Tamil Nadu government has notified revised fares for contract carriage auto-rickshaws after more than 13 years, fixing the minimum fare at ₹50 for the first 1.8 km and ₹25 for every additional kilometre. The October 27 notification also sets waiting charges at ₹1 per minute, a fare of 1.5 times the regular rate for journeys between 10 pm and 5 am, and separate charges for ghat routes.
The revision follows sustained demands from auto-rickshaw unions, who had sought higher rates citing rising fuel, insurance and maintenance costs, although some drivers say the approved fares remain below their expectations. The government has given auto owners and drivers six months to recalibrate their meters; until then, they must display an official fare card in their vehicles. The notification does not specify a separate commencement date.
New Fare Structure
Under the revised structure, passengers will be charged ₹50 for the first 1.8 km and ₹25 for every subsequent kilometre. For journeys on ghat roads, the base fare is ₹60, with ₹30 charged for every additional kilometre. Waiting charges have been fixed at ₹1 per minute, while journeys between 10 pm and 5 am will attract 1.5 times the regular fare. The notification was issued by the Tamil Nadu Home Department (Transport-I) under Section 67(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and directs the State Transport Authority and concerned Regional Transport Authorities to fix the applicable fares in their respective areas.
The new structure replaces the government-approved rates fixed in August 2013, when the minimum fare was ₹25 for the first 1.8 km and ₹12 for every additional kilometre. The latest notification supersedes earlier notifications issued in 2013 and 2014.
Drivers Wanted More
Auto-rickshaw unions have welcomed the long-awaited revision but remain dissatisfied with the final rates. S Balasubramaniam, working president of the CITU Tamil Nadu Auto Workers’ Federation, said unions had unanimously demanded ₹60 for the first 1.5 km and ₹30 for every subsequent kilometre. He said drivers felt the approved rates were lower than what some currently collect and below the minimum fares charged by app-based aggregators, according to The New Indian Express.
The unions had sought the revision amid rising fuel prices, insurance premiums and vehicle maintenance costs, as well as competition from app-based aggregators and bike taxis. Balasubramaniam also said drivers needed time to recalibrate their meters, noting that Chennai has more than one lakh autos but, according to him, only around 40 mechanics available to repair the meters. Despite their disappointment, he said the union had asked drivers to follow the revised rates.
Six-Month Transition
The government has provided a six-month window for auto owners and drivers to recalibrate their fare meters according to the new structure. Until the meters are updated, drivers must download the official fare card from the Transport Department’s website, print it and display it inside their vehicles for passengers to see. The fare card includes a QR code that passengers can use to verify its authenticity.
The Transport and Road Safety Commissioner, Sigy Thomas Vaidhyan, has also said passengers can report complaints about excess fares through the toll-free number 1800 425 5430. The transition period therefore places importance on clear display of the official fare structure and effective enforcement, particularly because the October 27 notification itself does not specify a separate date on which the revised rates come into force.
A 13-Year Wait
The previous fare structure had remained unchanged since August 2013. Auto unions had repeatedly sought an increase, arguing that the official rates no longer reflected the cost of operating a vehicle. The latest revision followed consultations involving auto-rickshaw unions and consumer organisations, with unions pushing for a higher increase and consumer groups proposing a minimum fare of ₹50 for the first 1.8 km or 2 km.
The revision comes after Transport Minister A Vijay Tamilan Parthiban had assured auto drivers shortly before the notification that fares would be revised before Deepavali. The final structure represents a significant increase over the 2013 rates, but the gap between the unions’ demand and the government’s notified rates means questions around drivers’ earnings and passenger affordability are likely to continue.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
After more than 13 years, updating an outdated fare structure is important for recognising the changing costs faced by auto-rickshaw drivers. At the same time, public transport fares directly affect students, workers, elderly passengers and families who depend on affordable everyday mobility.
The success of this revision will therefore depend not only on the new numbers but on transparent implementation, functioning meters, clearly displayed fares and a reliable mechanism for passengers to report overcharging. Periodic reviews could also help prevent another long gap between fare revisions. How can Tamil Nadu ensure that auto drivers receive a fair livelihood while keeping everyday transport affordable and transparent for passengers?
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