TN Auto Drivers Welcome Fare Hike After 13 Years, Seek Subsidies and Welfare Benefits

Auto-rickshaw drivers in Madurai have welcomed the Tamil Nadu government's decision to revise fares after a gap of 13 years, expressing hope that the move will reduce daily arguments with passengers over charges. However, they have urged the state to regulate the free bus travel scheme for women and introduce additional welfare measures to support their livelihoods.

Under the revised fare structure, the minimum charge has been fixed at Rs 50 for the first 1.8 km and Rs 25 for every subsequent kilometre. The earlier rates, last revised in 2013, were Rs 25 for the first 1.8 km and Rs 12 for each additional kilometre.

Drivers said the revision followed years of protests and negotiations by trade unions, including the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU). They believe the new rates will reduce unnecessary bargaining and ensure fair charges for both drivers and passengers.

Suresh Kumar, an auto driver from the Alangulam stand, told PTI Videos that the fare hike would help prevent conflicts between drivers and customers. He added that rising prices of essential commodities, fuel, registration and transport department-related fees, and insurance had severely affected drivers' earnings, making the old rates difficult to sustain.

While thanking the TVK-led state government for the revision, auto workers expressed concern that the free bus travel scheme for women had reduced passenger numbers and affected their daily income. They suggested restricting the benefit to economically weaker sections rather than extending it to higher-earning government employees.

Meanwhile, Kanagavel, district treasurer of the CITU auto union, appealed to the government to provide an annual subsidy of Rs 10,000 for fitness certificate (FC) renewals. He cited neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, where auto drivers receive a subsidy of Rs 15,000.

The union also requested a Deepavali bonus of Rs 5,000 per driver through the state's unorganised workers' welfare board, seeking further financial support for auto-rickshaw operators.