Tamil Nadu Hikes Autorickshaw Fares After 13-Year Gap; Minimum Now Rs 50
Tamil Nadu government updates autorickshaw fares for the first time in 13 years, setting the minimum fare at Rs 50. Check the new rate structure here.
Commuters across Tamil Nadu are set to see a change in their daily travel expenses as the state government has officially revised Tamil Nadu autorickshaw fares for the first time in 13 years. The updated rate structure, which addresses the rising operational costs faced by drivers, was notified in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette on Tuesday.
The New Fare Breakdown
According to the notification issued by the Home Department (Transport-I) under Government Order Manuscript series (G.O. Ms.) No. 366, dated October 27, the pricing has been significantly adjusted. The move comes under the authority of Section 67 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
The new pricing structure is as follows:
- Minimum Fare: Rs 50 for the first 1.8 kilometres.
- Additional Distance: Rs 25 for every kilometre traveled after the initial 1.8 km.
- Waiting Charges: A fee of Rs 1 per minute will be applicable for waiting time.
Special Rates for Night and Ghat Travel
The government has also introduced specific multipliers for travel during late hours and in hilly terrains to account for the added difficulty and risk.
Night-Time Surcharge
For trips taken between 10 pm and 5 am, the fares will be 1.5 times the regular rate, providing a necessary incentive for drivers operating during the night.
Ghat Fare Structure
Travel in Ghat areas will now be billed at 1.2 times the minimum fare, setting a base fare of Rs 60. Furthermore, the additional Ghat fare has been fixed at Rs 30 per kilometre.
Why the Change Now?
The decision to revise the rates comes after more than a decade of stagnation. The previous fare structure had remained unchanged since August 25, 2013. Over the last 13 years, autorickshaw drivers have struggled with sharply increasing operating costs, making the old rates unsustainable.
To provide a perspective on how much the rates have jumped, the 2013 government order (G.O.Ms.No.611) had set the minimum fare at just Rs 25 for the first 1.8 kilometres, with a per-kilometre rate of Rs 12 and waiting charges of Rs 3.50 for every five minutes.
Implementation Across the State
The latest notification supersedes previous orders dated August 25, 2013, and October 16, 2014. The Tamil Nadu government has now directed the State Transport Authority and all relevant Regional Transport Authorities to ensure the strict implementation of this revised fare structure. This applies to all contract carriage autorickshaws operating within the Chennai Metropolitan Area as well as other regions across the state.