PANAJI
The Goa Motorcycle Taxi Riders Association has voiced strong opposition to the revised Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines announced by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), which now allow private bike owners to lease their vehicles for commercial use.
The Association expressed fear that the move could endanger India’s only two-wheeler taxi system -- Goa’s motorcycle pilots -- by opening the sector to private players without stringent regulation or safety checks.
“This is the only traditional motorcycle taxi business in the country, and it is unique to Goa and India. We are already struggling and the number of motorcycle pilots has fallen from around 7,000 to just 2,500. If this new policy is implemented here, it will spell doom for us,” President of the association Suresh Thakur said, speaking to The Goan.
The updated guidelines, unveiled on Tuesday, empower state governments to authorise private bike owners to operate commercially for both passenger and hyperlocal delivery services. The Centre stated that the changes will legalise and streamline a sector that has been growing rapidly in urban areas.
However, Thakur pointed out several gaps in the policy that could raise safety and security concerns. “Unlike traditional public transport systems, there is no requirement for a public service vehicle licence, character certificate or proper registration under this policy. That means anyone with a bike and an app can start operating without checks. This is a serious safety risk to commuters,” he argued.
The Association is likely to convene a meeting of its members and approach Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to urge the State not to implement the policy.
Earlier last month, the Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao had flagged the potential fallout of the Karnataka High Court’s decision that questioned the legality of bike taxis. He urged the Goa government to insulate motorcycle pilots from possible legal and regulatory action.
“Motorcycle pilots in Goa have offered an affordable commuting option and are an integral part of our tourism identity. This traditional business has stood the test of time. The government should act proactively and formally recognise motorcycle pilots as a legitimate business and protect them from any future ban,” Alemao had said.
He also appealed to the government to adopt a separate framework that would preserve the heritage and employment associated with motorcycle pilots in Goa.
“Our Goemkar motorcycle pilots are known for their trust, discipline, and hospitality. Thousands of families depend on this livelihood,” Alemao added.
