Around 100 autorickshaw and taxi drivers staged a protest at VOC Ground in Coimbatore city on Saturday, demanding uniform enforcement of transport laws and an increase in meter fares.
In their petition, they said small-scale operators faced heavy penalties during inspections, while violations by major companies and individuals using personal vehicles for commercial purposes went unchecked. The drivers demanded that meter fares be increased from ₹25 to ₹50 for the first 1.8 km, with additional charges for each extra km from ₹12 to ₹25.
The petition also sought action against bike taxi operations using personal two-wheelers and requested that companies withdraw app features that promote the use of autos for transporting goods.
Drivers raised concerns over private cars being used as taxis or rented out commercially through self-drive platforms and social media, which they said caused revenue loss to the government and affected licensed taxi and maxi cab operators.
They also urged the Transport Commissioner to resume consultation meeting with taxi-aggregator companies and driver unions, which have not been held for two years, to discuss fare revisions, driver grievances, safety measures, and compliance with transport regulations. The protest continued until evening, with a warning that demonstrations would persist until demands were met.
Published – November 29, 2025 07:47 pm IST
