Auto, taxi drivers announce strike on Feb 10

Auto rickshaw, call taxi and tourist cab drivers across Tamil Nadu have announced a one‑day strike on February 10, 2026, to press for long‑standing demands including a revision of auto fares and better regulation of the taxi sector, the Tamil Nadu Auto, Call Taxi and Tourist Vehicle Drivers’ Federation has said.
According to the federation leadership, including president Jahir Usain, general secretary Vetrivel, and treasurer Dillipappu, drivers are facing severe economic pressure due to rising fuel costs, vehicle maintenance expenses and increasing living costs without any corresponding increase in official auto rickshaw fares. They have demanded that the state government immediately approve a fare hike to help drivers cope with these financial burdens.
The drivers are also calling for the government to install GPS tracking devices in taxis and maxi cabs at its expense, and to enact laws to properly regulate private hire vehicles. They have expressed concern over the use of personal vehicles as passenger and commercial transport without proper oversight.
In the lead‑up to the February 10 strike, the federation plans a series of protests outside regional transport office commissionerates in several districts: Coimbatore on February 3, Tirunelveli on February 5, Madurai on February 9, and Chennai on the day of the strike itself.
Drivers say the one‑day strike and demonstrations aim to highlight the urgent financial and regulatory issues affecting their livelihoods, and urge the government to address their demands before the protest.