Chennai Auto Drivers Blame LPG Price Hikes for Exorbitant Fare Demands
In Chennai, auto-rickshaw drivers are increasingly citing rising LPG costs as a justification for charging unreasonable and often arbitrary fares, leaving commuters with little choice but to pay up or seek alternative transport. This trend has sparked widespread frustration, with many residents taking to social media to vent about drivers demanding steep amounts that far exceed standard rates.
Commuters Face Steep Fare Hikes
Commuters report that auto drivers, who previously might ask for an extra 20 or 30 rupees, are now demanding significantly higher sums. For instance, if the metered fare is 120 rupees, drivers are asking for 200 rupees or more. When passengers attempt to haggle, drivers claim there is an LPG shortage, stating they pay double or triple the price and wait for hours to refuel. J Geetha, a resident of Chintadripet, shared her experience, highlighting how these demands have become commonplace in recent days.
Fuel Price Reality vs. Driver Claims
However, the drivers' claims do not entirely hold up under scrutiny. While LPG prices have indeed risen, the reported fare hikes often exceed any proportional increase in operating costs. As of Thursday, LPG was priced at around 65 rupees per litre at public sector fuel outlets, while private stations sold it between 80 and 85 rupees per litre. Despite this, drivers and commuters report transaction values that are far above these rates, suggesting other factors may be at play.
A Shankar, a resident of Velachery, experienced this firsthand after arriving late at the airport. He recounted how taxi drivers demanded 1,000 rupees, and after refusing, he ended up paying 900 rupees to an auto driver who cited higher fuel costs as the reason for the inflated fare.
Auto Drivers Defend Their Position
Auto drivers insist their concerns are genuine, pointing to challenges such as private LPG stations operating irregularly and charging premiums. R Guru, an auto driver in Vadapalani, explained that he paid 135 rupees per litre after searching for half an hour and also faces a 30% commission to aggregators, questioning what profit he actually takes home.
Unions and Regulatory Issues
Unions offer a different perspective, with M Sampath of AITUC alleging that gas agencies have created an artificial scarcity to push up prices. He noted that while prices have increased, there is no real shortage, and no auto drivers have stopped operating due to fuel issues. Amid this blame game, a regulatory vacuum remains glaring. A Zahir Hussain, president of the Tamil Nadu auto and call taxi drivers union federation, stated that overcharging will continue until fares are officially revised, expressing readiness for a fare revision to reduce disputes between drivers and passengers.
Problem Extends Beyond Autos
The issue is no longer confined to auto-rickshaws. Cab and bike taxi drivers, who rarely demanded sums over the actual fare in the past, are now citing fuel costs to justify higher fares. This persists despite repeated assurances from suppliers that there is no shortage of petrol, diesel, or LPG. An official from Rapido acknowledged that complaints have risen on both sides and mentioned they are in talks to revise fares on their app, noting that while drivers are paying more for LPG, overcharging also involves behavioral factors.
