Chennai auto drivers strike for fare revision today

Auto drivers in Chennai have decided to go on strike today. They are pushing for a change in metered fares. Several unions, including those linked to CITU, plan to involve nearly 100,000 drivers in the protest. Drivers say they face tough competition from bike-taxis and are earning less. They want the government to take action as the assembly is currently in session. Demonstrations are scheduled for today at Rajarathinam Stadium in Egmore and Anna Salai near Tarapore Towers. The drivers are asking for immediate attention to their long-standing requests. The last time fares were adjusted in Tamil Nadu was back in 2013. At that time, the base fare was set at 25 rupees with an additional 12 rupees per kilometer. Since then, drivers have asked the government to either raise the fares or introduce a state-operated ride-hailing app like the one in Kerala. Despite their repeated requests, the government has not responded. Frustrated, some drivers have begun to set their own higher fares—50 rupees as the base fare and 18 rupees for each kilometer after the first 1.8 kilometers. This change, however, has not been widely adopted. Some drivers also tried to stop using app-based taxi services due to high commission costs, but the effort had little effect. As negotiations stall, arguments between drivers and passengers over fares are becoming more common. Many drivers now charge between 30 and 50 rupees more than the estimates provided by ride-hailing apps.