PANAJI
Adamant to break the tourist taxi monopoly, the Goa government has decided to introduce a new mobile application that will serve as a centralized platform for the entire taxi business.
The app, to be called “Goa Taxi” is slated for launch in the New Year, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho said after a meeting with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Tuesday.
“There has to be an app-based system to ease transportation. Ola and Uber (cab services) were welcome but these companies are facing peculiar problems…They are in huge debt and might cease to operate. Therefore, rising to this occasion, we have decided to introduce our app through our homegrown electronics corporation “ Goa Electronics Limited,” Godinho said.
The minister maintained that all the stakeholders including taxi operators will be taken into confidence before making it a reality by New Year.
Urging the taxi operators to come on board to work in tandem with the authorities, Godinho added “it is their app, for their benefit.”
The government has also decided to enforce welfare schemes for these taxi operators to ensure their needs are taken care of while also giving quality service to passengers, most of whom comprise tourists.
Sawant had recently assured that issues revolving around the current taxi business will be resolved soon and the government will introduce a new app-based cab service to partly streamline the transportation system.
The taxi operators, on the other hand, are apprehensive to adapt to the new technology as it could bring instability to their business, and still oppose GoaMiles - which is supported by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation.
