The Tamil Nadu government has announced a comprehensive revision of autorickshaw fares, marking the first such update in 13 years. The new fare structure, which aims to address the rising operational costs faced by drivers, was officially notified in the state government gazette on October 27. The order was issued by the Home Department under Government Order (G.O. Ms.) No. 366, exercising powers under Section 67 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
Under the updated regulations, the minimum fare for an autorickshaw journey is now set at Rs 50 for the first 1.8 kilometres. For travel beyond this initial distance, passengers will be charged Rs 25 for every additional kilometre. This new directive effectively replaces the fare structures established by previous government notifications from August 2013 and October 2014, which had kept the base fare at Rs 25 for many years.
The state government has also introduced specific charges for distinct travel conditions to ensure clarity for both passengers and operators. For journeys involving ghat roads, the base fare has been fixed at Rs 60, calculated as 1.2 times the new minimum fare, with an additional charge of Rs 30 per kilometre. Furthermore, travel undertaken between 10 pm and 5 am will now attract a night surcharge, set at 1.5 times the regular fare.
Waiting charges have also been recalibrated under the new order. Passengers will be billed at a rate of Rs 1 per minute for waiting time. These changes apply to contract carriage autorickshaws operating across the Chennai Metropolitan Area as well as other regions throughout Tamil Nadu. The State Transport Authority and the respective Regional Transport Authorities have been directed to ensure the implementation of these revised rates across their jurisdictions.
The decision to revise the fares comes after a long period of stagnation, during which the cost of operating an autorickshaw had increased significantly. The 2013 notification, which set the minimum fare at Rs 25, had remained in place for over a decade despite inflationary pressures affecting the transport sector. By adjusting these rates, the government intends to balance the needs of drivers managing higher maintenance and fuel expenses with the expectations of the commuting public.
The implementation of this fare structure is a significant shift for the state’s urban and semi-urban transportation landscape. As the regional transport authorities begin to enforce the new gazetted rates, both drivers and passengers are expected to transition to the revised pricing model. The legal basis for this adjustment remains firmly rooted in the Motor Vehicles Act, which grants the state government the authority to regulate and standardize fare structures for public transport services to maintain order and fairness in the sector.
With the notification now in effect, the transport department is moving to ensure that the new rates are communicated and applied consistently across the state. This move brings a long-overdue update to the local transport economy, providing a structured framework for autorickshaw services that reflects current economic realities. The government has tasked local transport officials with monitoring compliance to prevent overcharging and ensure that the new fare regime is followed correctly by operators in all districts.
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