Tamil Nadu Doubles Auto-Rickshaw Minimum Fare After 13 Years

On October 27, the Tamil Nadu Home Department (Transport-I) issued a gazette notification that revises the fare regime for contract-carriage auto-rickshaws across the state. The minimum charge for the first 1.8 km is set at INR50, up from the previous INR25. For each kilometre beyond the initial distance, the fare rises by INR25, replacing the earlier INR12 per kilometre rate.

Tamil Nadu doubles minimum auto fare to Rs 50, raises per-km charge to Rs 25

Additional provisions include:

Hindustan Times

• Ghat routes – a base fare of INR60 (1.2 × the minimum) plus INR30 per kilometre.

Hindustan Times

• Night travel (10 pm – 5 am) – fares are 1.5 × the regular rate.

Hindustan Times

• Waiting time – a charge of INR1 per minute.

Hindustan Times

The notification, signed by Principal Secretary A Karthik, directs the State Transport Authority and the relevant Regional Transport Authorities to implement these rates in the Chennai Metropolitan area and throughout Tamil Nadu. The order supersedes earlier Home Department notifications dated August 25, 2013 and October 16, 2014.

Hindustan Times

The 2013 fare order had fixed the minimum auto-rickshaw charge at INR25 for the first 1.8 km and INR12 for each subsequent kilometre. Those rates remained unchanged for 13 years, despite rising operating costs for drivers. Over the past months, auto-driver unions pressed the government for higher fares, citing increases in fuel prices, insurance premiums, vehicle maintenance, and competition from app-based aggregators and bike-taxi services. Consumer organisations also submitted proposals, recommending a minimum fare of INR50 for the first 1.8–2 km.

New Indian ExpressCNBC TV18Tamil Nadu autorickshaw fares revised after 13 years: Minimum fare set at Rs 50; check full fare list Hindustan Times

• Minimum fare (first 1.8 km): INR50 (previously INR25).

Tamil Nadu doubles minimum auto fare to Rs 50, raises per-km charge to Rs 25

• Per-kilometre charge (beyond 1.8 km): INR25 (previously INR12).

Tamil Nadu doubles minimum auto fare to Rs 50, raises per-km charge to Rs 25

• Ghat route base fare: INR60 (1.2 × minimum).

Hindustan Times

• Ghat route per-kilometre charge: INR30.

Hindustan Times

• Night-time multiplier: 1.5 × regular fare (applies 10 pm – 5 am).

Hindustan Times

• Waiting charge: INR1 per minute.

Tamil Nadu doubles minimum auto fare to Rs 50, raises per-km charge to Rs 25

These figures apply uniformly to auto-rickshaws operating under contract carriage in both the Chennai Metropolitan area and other regions of Tamil Nadu.

Hindustan Times

Transport Minister A Vijay Tamilan Parthiban announced that the fare revision would be completed before the Deepavali festival, emphasizing the need to align driver earnings with current cost pressures. Principal Secretary A Karthik authorized the notification, instructing transport authorities to enforce the new rates and update digital meters accordingly. The Home Department’s notification explicitly cites Section 67(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 as the legal basis for the amendment.

Tamil Nadu autorickshaw fares revised after 13 years: Minimum fare set at Rs 50; check full fare list

All consulted sources report identical fare figures and procedural details; no substantive discrepancies were identified. The notification does not specify an exact commencement date for the new rates, leaving implementation timing unclear.

Vijay-led Tamil Nadu govt revises autorickshaw fares after 13 years

The notification tasks the State Transport Authority and Regional Transport Authorities with fixing the revised fares in their jurisdictions. No further scheduled hearings or deadlines were mentioned in the sources.

Vijay-led Tamil Nadu govt revises autorickshaw fares after 13 years