The legal auto-rickshaw fare in Chennai is still the one fixed in August 2013: Rs 25 for the first 1.8 km and Rs 12 for every kilometre after that. It was set by G.O. Ms. No. 611, dated 25 August 2013, and no revised fare had been notified as of 18 October 2026, although a revision has been under discussion all through this year.
In practice almost nobody in the city pays by meter. Rides are fixed by bargaining or through an app, and the gap between the notified fare and the street price is the whole reason a revision is being negotiated. Here is what the rule says, what is on the table and how to protect yourself until the new fare arrives.
The fare you are legally entitled to
The 2013 notification covers the Chennai Metropolitan Area. Its terms are short:
| Item | Rate under the 2013 order |
|---|---|
| Minimum fare | Rs 25 for the first 1.8 km |
| Each additional km | Rs 12 |
| Waiting charge | Rs 3.50 for every five minutes |
| Night fare (11 pm to 5 am) | 50% extra on the total fare |
For a sense of how old this is, the previous order from 2007, G.O. Ms. No. 48, had a minimum of Rs 14 for two kilometres and Rs 6 a kilometre. The 2013 order also required electronic meters, but a DT Next report found that many drivers either did not switch them on or asked for Rs 10 to Rs 20 above the reading.
Where the 2026 revision stands
The fare question has moved several times this year, but it has not been settled.
- 9 July: the first tripartite meeting of the government, unions and passenger groups was held in Chennai. Unions asked for a minimum of Rs 70; passenger groups proposed Rs 50, DT Next reported.
- 5 and 21 August: a fare revision committee was formed and gave its recommendation, Transport Minister A. Vijay Tamilan Parthiban told the Assembly, according to DT Next. He said fares would be revised soon and that fare meters would be fitted in all autos, without giving a date.
- 27 August: a second tripartite meeting discussed the officials’ draft report. No fare was announced afterwards.
- 23 September: district Collectors held public consultations across the state. Before those meetings, unions put forward Rs 45 for the minimum fare and Rs 20 a kilometre, IANS reported, and district recommendations were to go to the Transport Commissionerate.
- 26 September: the Federation of All Auto Rickshaw Drivers’ Unions planned a march to the Secretariat, seeking Rs 60 for the first 1.5 km and Rs 30 a kilometre. Its coordinator told DT Next that “there has been no decision.”
IANS also reported that officials were said to be weighing a Rs 50 base fare with Rs 22 to Rs 25 a kilometre, against a 2024 committee figure of Rs 40 and Rs 18 that never took effect. Treat all of these as proposals. Only a government order changes the legal fare. There are about 3.46 lakh registered autos in the state, so whatever is fixed will apply well beyond Chennai.
Apps and aggregator rules
App-booked autos are where most fare disputes now happen. Commuters complain about surge pricing and about drivers asking for more than the in-app estimate, the IANS report noted. The state plans to bring in its Motor Vehicles Aggregator Rules, 2025, but the minister said this would follow fare fixing for autos and cabs.
The state’s own Chennai One app, built by CUMTA, books government-approved autos and cabs through Namma Yatri alongside MTC buses and the metro, PTI reported at its launch. Booking through any app gives you a record of the trip, the driver and the quoted fare, which is useful if something goes wrong.
How to avoid disputes and where to complain
- Agree the fare before you get in, or book through an app so the estimate is on record.
- Note the registration number painted on the auto. A photo of the number plate is enough.
- For app trips, use the in-app help option first. Platforms can refund or act against the driver’s account.
- For street autos, transport department and traffic police complaint lines have been publicised before; a 2016 DT Next report cited the toll-free number 1800 425 5430. Confirm it is still working before relying on it.
- For a serious incident involving safety, call 100 or 112.
Quick answers
What is the minimum auto fare in Chennai?
Under the 2013 government order still in force, Rs 25 for the first 1.8 km. Each further kilometre is Rs 12.
Has the auto fare been revised in 2026?
Not as of 18 October 2026. Meetings and consultations have been held, but no new fare order has been issued.
Is there a night charge for autos?
Yes. Between 11 pm and 5 am, the 2013 order allows 50% over the day fare.
Can a driver refuse to go by meter?
The 2013 order assumes metered fares, but enforcement has been weak. Note the vehicle number and complain if you are overcharged.
Information checked against official sources on 18 October 2026. Fees, dates and rules can change; confirm on the linked official pages before acting.
Sources
- G.O. Ms. No. 611, Home (Transport-III), auto-rickshaw fare notification, 25 August 2013 (Tamil Nadu Government Gazette)
- G.O. Ms. No. 48, Home (Transport VI), 10 January 2007 (Tamil Nadu Transport Department)
- Transport minister: Tamil Nadu will roll out aggregator rules after fixing fares (DT Next)
- New auto fares likely to be finalised in Chennai tomorrow (DT Next)
- Tamil Nadu seeks public views on proposed auto fare revision (Telangana Today / IANS)
- Auto unions to march to Secretariat demanding fare revision (DT Next)
- TN auto unions announce September 19 stir (IANS via NewKerala)
- TN CM launches Chennai One app (PTI via The Week)
- Fare metres in autos not fair: commuters (DT Next)
