Chennai, October 13 (Daily Kiran) : A candlelight march is set to take place in Chennai on Tuesday evening, organized by the Federation of All Auto Trade Unions. The march will begin at Egmore and proceed to Fort St. George, focusing on the urgent need for a revision in auto-rickshaw fares and addressing the concerns of drivers.
This event will also serve as a tribute to 61-year-old driver Mohammad Ibrahim, who tragically took his own life after urging Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to increase auto fares in a video he released prior to his death.
Union representatives hope to highlight how rising costs and changing travel patterns have adversely affected drivers’ ability to earn a living and meet their families’ needs. S. Balasubramanian, a coordinator for the federation, noted that the last fare revision occurred in 2013. Since then, drivers have continued to operate under the same fare structure despite increases in fuel prices, insurance premiums, and spare parts costs.
Balasubramanian emphasized that the delay in fare adjustments has placed a significant financial burden on individual drivers, whose incomes have dwindled due to escalating expenses. He also claimed that during previous fare revisions, drivers faced harassment from transport officials and police regarding meter regulations.
Furthermore, he pointed out that app-based aggregators like Ola, Uber, and Rapido have been charging higher fares through surge pricing. This disparity is harming individual operators, who are calling for a fare structure that accurately reflects the costs of running an auto-rickshaw.
The federation has attributed the decline in demand for auto rides to developments such as the expansion of Chennai Metro Rail, free bus travel for women, and the growth of bike-taxi services. According to unions, rising household expenses, medical bills, and delays in obtaining fitness certificates have made it increasingly difficult for drivers to remain in the profession. Consequently, many have left the trade for other jobs.
The unions are demanding a revised fare structure based on meter readings and the introduction of government-supported mobile applications for auto-rickshaws. They are also calling for the regulation or restriction of bike-taxi services and measures to combat alleged corruption in regional transport offices.
The federation’s proposals aim to alleviate financial and administrative pressures on drivers, enabling them to continue their work while managing vehicle maintenance costs and other obligations. They have urged the government to take immediate action, warning that further delays could exacerbate the challenges faced by drivers and their families. The unions are calling for steps to address the issues threatening their livelihoods.
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