PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday said the existing draft Transport Aggregator Guidelines 2025 would automatically be scrapped once the proposed Digital Taxi Policy is finalised and brought into force.
Responding to concerns raised in the Goa Legislative Assembly by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, the CM stated that the guidelines is already in abeyance.
“The current aggregator policy has been kept in abeyance and will automatically cease to exist once the new digital policy is implemented,” he said.
Alemao demanded that the government scrap the proposed aggregator policy, claiming it was not in the interest of taxi operators. He also said the draft had received more than 3,000 objections from stakeholders, with around 93 per cent opposing the introduction of a taxi app system.
Alemao reiterated that it was the government’s responsibility to scrap the aggregator policy as it had triggered strong resistance from taxi operators across the State.
Responding to the discussion, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho said the government had recently constituted a committee to examine the proposed digital taxi policy after hearing the views of stakeholders. He said all 36 taxi associations would be part of the committee and would be able to present their suggestions and objections regarding the digital taxi framework.
“Once the committee submits its report, the CM will convene another meeting. Taxi operators will also be invited, and we will discuss what is practical and how the new policy can be implemented,” Godinho said. The CM added that the MLAs would also be a part of the upcoming meeting.
Godinho further added that while most taxi operators initially indicated they were open to shifting to a digital system, a few later opposed the idea of app-based platforms during the meeting last week.
“We heard everyone’s views during the meeting held recently. However, towards the end, two or three operators said they did not want an app or any digital platform, despite earlier indicating they were open to it. It is important that all stakeholders remain on the same page,” he said.
Godinho said that for the first time most taxi operators had responded positively to the proposed policy, with only a few exceptions. “We presented them with a clear formula to move towards digital platforms where fares will be uniform. Other issues raised by taxi operators will be addressed separately,” he added.
