Chennai. In Tamil Nadu, the major state of South India, lakhs of common citizens traveling by public transport and three-wheelers have suffered a major blow of inflation. The state government has made a historic revision in auto-rickshaw fares by directly doubling the minimum fare after a long gap of nearly 13 years. According to the official notification (GO Ms. No. 366) issued by the Home (Transport-I) Department under Section 67 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the minimum fare for auto-rickshaws has now been increased from ₹25 across the state. ₹50 It has been decided. The new fare is being implemented with immediate effect on all contract carriage auto rickshaws plying in all districts of the state including Chennai Metropolitan Area.
The Tamil Nadu government had previously fixed auto-rickshaw fares in August 2013, with a minimum fare of ₹25 for the first 1.8 kilometers and ₹12 for each additional kilometer thereafter. Auto unions have been continuously demanding increase in fares due to the huge increase in the cost of petrol, CNG, auto parts, maintenance and living costs over the last decade. Now according to the new order issued, the initial 1.8 kilometers Passengers will have to pay ₹50 to cover the distance. After this initial distance the rate per kilometer will be increased from ₹ 12 directly to ₹25 per kilometer Has been done.
Apart from daily commuting, new rules have also been made clear for those traveling late at night and those stopping midway:
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Night Fare: Total normal fare for traveling by auto between 10:00 pm to 05:00 am 1.5 times (50% extra charge) Will have to give. This means that the minimum fare and cost per kilometer will increase significantly at night.
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Waiting Charge: If the passenger stops the auto outside any shop, market or bank during the journey, then the government has imposed penalty for this. ₹1 per minute Waiting charge has been fixed.
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Digital and normal meter calibration: The Transport Department has directed all Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) to recalibrate the electronic fare meters of all auto-rickshaws as per the new rates within the stipulated time so that complaints of overcharging are not received from passengers.
In view of high fuel consumption and inaccessible roads, special rates have been notified for auto-rickshaws plying in hill tourist destinations (Ghat Roads) like Ooty (Nilgiri), Kodaikanal, Yercaud and Valparai:
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Base fare for first 1.8 kilometers in hilly areas ₹60 has been fixed.
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After this, for every additional kilometer the passengers ₹30 per kilometer Will have to pay.
| Type/Category of Travel | Old fare (applicable from August 2013) | New Revised Fare (October 2026) | Percentage of change/difference |
| Minimum Fare (First 1.8 KM) | ₹25 | ₹50 | 100% straight increase (doubling) |
| Rate per kilometer (after 1.8 KM) | ₹12/km | ₹25/km | Increase of ₹13 per km |
| Night Charge (10 PM to 5 AM) | 50% extra (from 11pm onwards) | 1.5 times (10 pm to 5 am) | Time limit extended, one and a half times payment |
| waiting charge | ₹3.50 per 5 minutes | ₹1 per minute | Direct calculation based on time |
| Hilly Area (Ghat Roads) Base Fare | slightly higher than normal rate | ₹60 (initial 1.8 KM), ₹30/km onwards | Separate slots for tourist places |
While this decision taken after 13 years has been welcomed by the auto drivers of Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli and Salem and termed it as a relief step, the cost of daily commute has increased for the common middle class commuters, students and the elderly. Consumer organizations believe that along with the increase in fares, the administration will also have to ensure that auto drivers do not hesitate to use meters instead of ride sharing apps (like Ola, Uber, Rapido) and follow the fixed government rates. Transport officials have warned that action like permit cancellation and heavy challan will be taken against drivers who do not use meters or demand more than the prescribed fee.