Madurai autorickshaw drivers petition Collector over income loss from ‘Vettri Payanam’ bus scheme - The HinduUpdated - October 12, 2026 07:42 pm IST - MADURAIAutorickshaw drivers who submitted a petition to Madurai Collector on Monday. | Photo Credit: R. ASHOKThe Tholkappiyar Autorickshaw Drivers Welfare Association, representing over 100 auto drivers in the district, has raised concerns over severe economic distress stemming from the Tamil Nadu government’s ‘Vettri Payanam’ initiative, a no-fare bus travel for women.While acknowledging the social intent behind expanding public transit access for women, drivers after submitting a petition with the District Collector Nishant Krishna here on Monday noted that the scheme had delivered an unintended blow to their daily earnings, particularly for those operating routes that run parallel to major bus corridors.For drivers in Madurai, many with over 15 years of experience, autorickshaw driving is the sole source of income covering daily essentials such as food, rent, children’s education, and medical bills.“The drop in passenger volume since the scheme’s expansion has created a compounding financial squeeze. Most drivers operate vehicles purchased through commercial bank loans or private finance companies, carrying non-negotiable monthly loan instalments alongside rising fuel prices, vehicle maintenance, and annual insurance premiums,” said the drivers.Decreased daily receipts directly impact household budgets, leaving dependent families with little cushion against unexpected financial emergencies, they lamented.To address the growing disparity between public welfare initiatives and the informal transport economy, the association has presented a series of formal requests to local and State authorities.They called for an official review of the relevant Government Order and a comprehensive study across Madurai District to collect data on income drops, trip counts, and financial standing among drivers.The union has also requested formal consultations with local autorickshaw driver representatives, targeted financial relief or welfare board support if adverse impacts are verified, and an exploration of last-mile transit integration to harmonise autorickshaw services with public bus routes.They emphasised that their demand was not to strip away the free bus travel facility for women, but rather to ask officials to approach the issue through the lens of social and economic justice, seeking policy adjustments or supportive measures that protect the livelihoods of thousands of daily-wage drivers.Published - October 12, 2026 07:05 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }