PANAJI
The State Transport Authority has put a halt on issuing any further rent-a-car licences citing widespread violation of traffic safety rules, rash driving and tourists driving cars under the influence of alcohol beyond the permissible levels.
The decision was taken at the meeting held recently, according to a public notice issued by Director of Transport, P Pravimal Abhishek, IAS.
"The State Transport Authority, Goa, has decided not to issue any fresh Rent-a-Cab licences/permits under the Rent-a-Cab scheme, 1989, until further notice," Abhishek said in the notice.
He said, the decision has been taken in public interest considering concerns related to road safety, traffic congestion and regulatory compliance.
Abhishek also said, that an increasing number of road accidents involve self-driven rental vehicles, with instances of rash and negligent driving by tourists, including cases of driving under the influence of alcohol.
"This is leading to grievous injuries and fatalities," Abhishek said in the notice adding that the public are advised not to submit any new applications for Rent-a-Cab licences/permits as they will not be processed.
Renting a vehicle offered tourists flexibility to commute across the State as per convenience but instances of abuse and reckless driving has also triggered public sentiment against the trade.
The bar on issuing new licences is the second serious measure initiated by the government against the indiscriminate renting of vehicles by tourists in the State.
Earlier last week the transport department had begun a crackdown on the clandestine trade of renting private vehicles to tourists and began levying a hefty Rs 10,000 fine for the first offence.
Repeated violations will result in more severe penalties being levied including suspension and cancellation of the vehicle's registration and Abhishek said RTO officers have been instructed to conduct regular inspections.
It may be recalled that, 5,010 rent-a-car and rent-a-bike vehicle users flouting traffic rules were booked by the transport department in the first two months (January-February) this year.
The violations were by drivers of 1,381 rent-a-cab vehicles and 3,629 riding rent-a-bike two-wheelers.
In 2024, a total of 22,764 prosecutions were registered against rental vehicles with rent-a-bikes recording the highest -- 14,718 cases while 8,046 cases were recorded against rent-a-car services.
