MARGAO
Benaulim Tourist Taxi Association on Wednesday has opposed plans to issue permits to 1000 more taxis in the state, pointing out that the additional taxis will further eat into the business of local tourist taxi operators, finding it difficult to make both ends meet post-Covid.
The tourist taxi operators, who called on the Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas on Wednesday further demanded that the government extends the existing permit for three more years since the business had come to a halt during the COVID-19 pandemic.
They further insisted that the government should retain the taxi badge system, saying the system shows the Goan identity of the tourist taxi operators and also ensure the safety of the tourists visiting the state.
Tourist Taxi operator Roque Fernandes said the taxi badge goes to prove the Goan identity of the taxi operators. “We have protected and ensured the safety of the tourists all these years. There is no single instance of harassment meted out to the tourists by the local tourist taxi operators”, Roque said.
Association President Seby pointed out to the MLA the government’s decision to issue permits to 1,000 more taxis will leave the local operators sans business.
“Tourism and hotels had come along the coastal belt after they had promised the local people eking a living on activities such as fishing that will get a slice of the tourism cake. Initially, we were getting good business, but today we are not even getting a customer even after waiting outside a hotel for 2-3 days’, he said.
The Benaulim MLA assured the tourist taxi operators that he would take up cudgels for them before Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho and called upon the operators to unite and unitedly fight for their issues.
“New permits to 1000 taxis will leave the existing operators sans business. They also have other issues, including meters, subsidies, Goa miles etc. I will take up the tourist taxi operators issue with the Transport Minister for an amicable solution to protect the interests of the local tourist taxi operators”, Venzy added.
