VASCO
Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho on Wednesday said that app-based taxis are necessary if Dabolim Airport has to compete with Mopa Airport.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with taxi operators at Dabolim airport, Godinho said he was concerned that Dabolim Airport may shut down if proper facilities and new technology was not offered to passengers.
Godinho convened a joint meeting and site inspection with Yellow-Black taxi operators at Goa Airport along with officials of the transport department and Goa Airport.
“I personally checked how counters operate and I have now persuaded the taxi operators that digital platform is the future and new technology has to be adopted.”
“App-based taxi service will have to be launched today or tomorrow and we don’t want Dabolim Airport to suffer because Mopa Airport, which is a private airport, will offer all latest services to passengers and we cannot have only prepaid service here at Dabolim Airport.”
“The taxi operators have been convinced but they have a demand that GoaMiles counter and the Yellow-Black taxi counter must not be next to each other because it could lead to fights for business and we have agreed on the condition.”
“We have now assured to give the GoaMiles a counter a little away from the Yellow-Black taxi counter and we will give another additional counter to the Yellow-Black taxi operators.”
Godinho said he had also directed the police to ensure there is no touting incidents at the airport.
“I will personally monitor the situation to address the concerns of the Yellow-Black taxi operators,” said Godinho.
“We have also told the Yellow-Black taxi operators that they can join the GoaMiles app and when they take one passenger from here at Goa Airport, they can open the GoaMiles app and get another passenger on their return.”
“GoaMiles has assured to even convert existing taxis to electric vehicles at no additional cost and we are not here to trouble anybody but to ensure that all facilities are available at the airport and the taxi operators get good business,” said Godinho.
Meanwhile, Yellow-Black taxi operator leader Prasad Prabhugaonkar said their taxi operators would not join the GoaMiles app and would continue their traditional business from the counter which was established in 1985.
“We have around 350 taxi operators and we are planning to have our own app and function under the app from Goa Airport. We had an issue that our counter and the GoaMiles counter must not be alongside each other and the minister has assured to agree to this demand,” said Prabhugaonkar.
