VASCO
Goa State Industries Association (GSIA), the apex body of the industries in Goa, has fully supported the government on the initiative to introduce app-based taxi services in the State.
In a press release, GSIA President Damodar Kochkar said GSIA feels that introduction of app-based taxi service aggregators is the only solution to end the woes of the travelling public.
"We understand that the government has given a subsidy of Rs 11,000 per taxi to install the digital meters and the taxi operators have kept these meters non-functional. We urge the Government not to succumb to the pressure tactics of the taxi unions and instead, adopt a long-term solution to have seamless and convenient mode of travel," said Kochkar.
"It is a known fact that taxi operators in the absence of digital meters and monitoring of taxi fares are fleecing the tourists as well as the locals by overcharging with arbitrary fares. This has brought a bad name to Goa, at national and international level, as a preferred tourist destination. Goa lacks reliable public transport and, therefore, there is an urgent need for some affordable transport service if the Government wants to promote tourism,” said Kochkar.
Kochkar said they have experienced that many clients or suppliers of the industry visiting the State have complained of being overcharged by taxi operators.
“Also, if our client/supplier stays in some hotel, the industry representative is not allowed to go and pick him up by the taxi operators. This cannot happen in any democratic country where people should have the right to choose their own mode of transport.”
Goa State Industries Association (GSIA), the apex body of the industries in Goa, has fully supported the government on the initiative to introduce app-based taxi services in the State.
In a press release, GSIA President Damodar Kochkar said GSIA feels that introduction of app-based taxi service aggregators is the only solution to end the woes of the travelling public.
"We understand that the government has given a subsidy of Rs 11,000 per taxi to install the digital meters and the taxi operators have kept these meters non-functional. We urge the Government not to succumb to the pressure tactics of the taxi unions and instead, adopt a long-term solution to have seamless and convenient mode of travel," said Kochkar.
"It is a known fact that taxi operators in the absence of digital meters and monitoring of taxi fares are fleecing the tourists as well as the locals by overcharging with arbitrary fares. This has brought a bad name to Goa, at national and international level, as a preferred tourist destination. Goa lacks reliable public transport and, therefore, there is an urgent need for some affordable transport service if the Government wants to promote tourism,” said Kochkar.
Kochkar said they have experienced that many clients or suppliers of the industry visiting the State have complained of being overcharged by taxi operators.
“Also, if our client/supplier stays in some hotel, the industry representative is not allowed to go and pick him up by the taxi operators. This cannot happen in any democratic country where people should have the right to choose their own mode of transport.”
“However, the industry will definitely support if the taxi operators in Goa launch their own app-based taxi aggregator," said Kochkar.
