Tamil Nadu transport operator fare protests

Transport operators in Tamil Nadu have initiated industrial actions to demand fare revisions due to rising operational costs.

In mid-September, auto-rickshaw trade unions announced a protest in Chennai for September 19. Drivers sought to pressure the government to update meter fares, which they claim have not changed in 13 years, citing increased expenses for fuel, maintenance, and insurance.

By late September, private bus operators announced a 24-hour token strike scheduled for September 29. The strike is set to begin at midnight and will exclude Chennai, Madurai, Nagercoil, and Udhagamandalam. K. Thangaraj, President of the Federation of Bus Operators Association of Tamil Nadu, and Secretary D. R. Dharmaraj reported that the industry is operating at a loss of approximately 65 per cent.

Operators attribute these deficits to the rising cost of spare parts and diesel prices, which they noted have increased from INR 64 per litre in 2018 to over INR 100 per litre. In addition to demanding passenger fare revisions, the federation is protesting the expansion of the ‘Vetri Payanam Thittam’ free travel scheme for women and transgender individuals. While state-run transport undertakings receive subsidies for the program, private operators are currently excluded from compensation. The federation has urged the government to include private buses in the scheme and provide a per-trip subsidy to ensure sector viability.