Chennai Auto Drivers March for Fare Revision After 13 Years

Thirteen Years Without a Fare Hike

S. Balasubramaniam, the federation’s coordinator, said the government last revised auto fares in 2013. Since then, drivers have continued to operate under the same structure, even as fuel prices, insurance premiums and spare-parts costs have risen.

He also alleged that drivers had faced harassment from transport officials and police over meter enforcement during earlier fare revisions.

What the Unions Want

Why It Matters: Squeezed From Every Side

The drivers’ problems go beyond fares. Unions point to several changes that have cut demand: the expansion of Chennai Metro, free bus travel for women, and the rapid growth of bike taxis. At the same time, app-based platforms such as Ola, Uber and Rapido can charge higher fares through surge pricing, while independent drivers remain bound by meter rates fixed 13 years ago.

The result, unions say, is a profession many can no longer afford to stay in. Several drivers have left the trade for other work, the federation said, as household expenses and medical bills mount. Any fare revision will need to balance drivers’ survival with affordability for passengers who depend on autos daily.

What’s Next

The unions have urged the government to respond quickly, warning that delays could deepen hardship for drivers’ families. The state government has not yet publicly responded to the demands.

The Bottom Line

For Chennai’s auto drivers, a fare frozen since 2013 has become a question of survival. Tuesday’s march is their attempt to make sure that message reaches the government.

With inputs from IANS.