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Cost desk · autos

Chennai auto fare reality cards

The legal meter is still 2013. Street quotes are not. Compare official vs what unions and passenger groups asked for in July 2026.

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Disclaimer: Illustrative only for Chennai planning conversations. Tariffs, rents, fuel prices, and tax rules change. This is not financial, tax, or legal advice — verify with official portals, bills, and professionals before acting. Not a Transport Department order. Confirm any new gazette on the official TN transport site.

Last official meter: 25 August 2013. State Transport Authority forwarded a revision report to the Home Department (IANS / press, early August 2026). No new gazetted fare was in the sources we reviewed as of 15 August 2026.

  • Official 2013 meter

    ₹63

    ₹25 / first 1.8 km + ₹12/km

  • Passenger groups (Jul 2026)

    ₹133

    ₹50 / first 2 km + ~₹27.5/km

  • Driver unions (Jul 2026)

    ₹165

    ₹60 / first 1.5 km + ₹30/km

Street quotes and app prices will differ. This is a planning card for WhatsApp arguments — not a Transport Department order.

FAQ

What is the legal Chennai auto fare today?

Until a new government order is notified, the 2013 meter (₹25 for 1.8 km, then ₹12/km) is the last official structure. Street quotes are almost always higher. This card compares official vs proposed numbers — it is not a new tariff.

Did fares already go up in 2026?

A revision meeting happened on 9 July 2026. Unions and passenger groups did not agree. A report went to the Home Department. We have not seen a notified new meter as of 15 August 2026.

What about Rapido / Namma Yatri / Uber Auto?

App fares are platform prices, not the Transport Department meter. Compare the app quote with these three columns before you hop in.

Fine print

This page was drafted with AI-assisted tools and human editorial review for mychennaicity.in. AI can miss updates or local nuance — cross-check primary sources and your own documents before decisions.

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