PANAJI: Taxi operators from Panaji, Taleigao and St. Cruz who met Panaji MLA and Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate today were left disappointed, receiving no concrete support for their demand to curb app-based taxi aggregators. Instead, Monserrate deflected the blame, insisting that rent-a-bike and rent-a-car services, not taxi apps, are the root cause of the traditional taxi trade’s decline.
“The real problem is not the apps, it’s rent-a-bike and rent-a-car businesses that are killing your trade,” Monserrate told the delegation. “These services give tourists an alternative, so naturally they’re not using your taxis.”
The meeting comes amid growing anger from traditional taxi operators across Goa over the recently notified Goa Transport Aggregator Guidelines 2025, which were published in the Official Gazette on May 20. The operators have accused the state government of sidelining key stakeholders during the policy’s formulation.
Monserrate acknowledged the taxi sector’s discontent with digital aggregation models but maintained that the only way forward is by embracing technology. He urged local taxi operators to come together and launch a single, unified app rather than resisting the move.
“You all have not come up with a proper app. The government app failed, and GoaMiles is also under fire. So why don’t you create your own app? Come together and fix the problem instead of waiting for the government to do everything,” he said.
The minister claimed that around 90% of Goa’s taxi drivers are non-locals and suggested that Goan taxi operators are suffering because many of them also run illegal rent-a-bike and rent-a-car services themselves.
“Some of you have one taxi and four or five rental vehicles. Who’s benefiting then? Not the genuine taxi drivers. The ones with side businesses are enjoying, while the rest suffer,” he said.
Monserrate also claimed he had raised concerns over rent-a-bike and rent-a-car services at cabinet meetings, even calling for a halt to fresh permits.
“I have told the government that this has to stop. These vehicles take up all the parking spaces, cause accidents, and are a nuisance. This is a failure of the transport department.”
While sympathetic to the financial stress faced by drivers, Monserrate said the government is working on a policy that aims to regulate and streamline the sector. He assured the operators that their objections would be heard and asked them to file formal feedback within the one-month window provided by the state.
Ask the government to give you a minimum business guarantee. At least ensure that your EMI is covered. If the app system fails, I’ll stand with you. But give it a try,” he urged.
