PANAJI
Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho on Wednesday said that the app-based taxi service in the State is the way forward but took a reconciliatory tone by suggesting a consultation with all stakeholders involved in the taxi imbroglio under Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s stewardship to evolve a permanent solution acceptable to all sides.
Godinho, who earlier in the day was targeted by taxi operators at a massive rally in Mapusa where they demanded he quit as transport minister for being incapable of resolving the taxi imbroglio, said he has nothing against the taxi operators but is only interested in ensuring a disciplined system for the taxi service sector.
He said the app-based taxi aggregator service introduced, “Goa Miles,” is operating at a rate which is 20% below the notified rates and is a business model which local taxi operators should also adopt.
Godinho said some sections of the local taxi operators were also holding backchannel talks with another app-based aggregator, Uber.
“Joining an app-based aggregator is the way forward for taxi operators globally,” Godinho said, adding that if necessary, the Transport department will assist in developing their own app-based service, including financing it.
The minister was replying to the discussion on the demands for grants pertaining to transport, industries, and panchayat departments, which were later passed by a voice vote in the Goa legislative assembly.
