Auto rickshaw drivers at Madurai collectorate
Representing more than 100 drivers, the association sought a survey of income losses and financial relief. The union demanded revised meter fares, unchanged since 2013, and a govt-backed booking app.
M Sivalingam, president of Madurai’s Tholkappiyar auto drivers’ welfare association, said the shift to buses has halved their daily trips and earnings. CITU autorickshaw workers’ union coordinator S Balasubramanian said, “Drivers were already squeezed by metro services, existing free bus travel, bike taxis and rising fuel and spare-part costs. Senior transport department officials said they had held several rounds of discussions with drivers, passenger welfare groups, activists and other stakeholders over the revision of auto fares. They said the final fare proposal was likely to be submitted to the govt soon.
Madurai: Auto rickshaw drivers undertook protests across Tamil Nadu , stating that the expanded Vettri Payanam scheme has hurt their livelihoods as women increasingly switch to free govt buses. Passengers, however, showed little sympathy, accusing drivers of fleecing commuters, ignoring fares quoted by booking apps and bringing the backlash upon themselves. He urged the district collector to recommend revising the scheme’s guidelines without withdrawing free travel for women. The expanded scheme added to these pressures. It also called for bike taxis to be banned or regulated. The protests have come amid anger over the suicide of Mohammed Ibrahim, an auto driver from Chennai’s Vyasarpadi, allegedly over debt. Calling his death a warning, CPI urged immediate govt intervention through fare revisions, regulation of aggregator commissions and a law safeguarding drivers’ minimum income. It also sought compensation for his family.
Instead, drivers refused to accept rides without demanding at least Rs 50 above the estimated fare,” said R Nirmal Raj, an activist from Madurai’s Vilakkuthoon. Launched on Oct 2, the expanded Vettri Payanam scheme extended free travel for women and transgender people in express, LSS and deluxe city buses, ordinary mofussil services and ghat buses operating within 40 km. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Madurai | Silver Rate in Madurai | Bank Holidays in Madurai | Public Holidays in Madurai | Madurai AQI | Weather in Madurai | Petrol Price in Madurai | Diesel Price in Madurai | CNG Price in Madurai | LPG Price in Madurai Stay updated with the latest Madurai news.
Passenger representatives, however, remained sceptical that revised fare charts would be followed. “It is true that drivers cannot be expected to follow a decade-old fare chart. But apps like Ola, Rapido and Uber gave them an opportunity to adopt transparent pricing and improve passenger experience. Download the TOI App.