the goan I network
VASCO
The major issue of around 170 taxi operators affiliated to Mormugao Port Tourist Taxi Union (MPTTU) operating at the cruise berth of the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) was finally resolved on Wednesday after CM Pramod Sawant intervened in the matter.
MPTTU taxi operators were reacting to news reports that passengers arriving at the Port would have to use only the Goa Miles app for transportation.
Members of MPTTU who do not operate anywhere besides the cruise berth, later met Mormugao MLA and Urban Development Minister Milind Naik with a request to resolve their issues.
Naik later had meeting with Goa Miles as well as the Chief Minister requesting intervention in the matter.
“There was a proposal for launching Goa Miles at the MPT cruise berth which had created tension for taxi operators operating here. But now the problem has been resolved and they will continue to operate the way they did earlier. These taxi operators who operate near the cruise berth don’t do business anywhere else and are solely dependent on this area and the ships arriving at the port,” said Naik.
“Ninety per cent of the taxi members of MPTTU are locals from in and around Vasco and they will not be able to work under the Goa Miles system,” said Naik.
MPPTU president Sanjay Kanoji while thanking Naik and Sawant said that they were not against Goa Miles but wanted to operate in a way that Goa Miles if required would do the booking of customers, but only MPTTU taxi would then transport the passengers to their destination.
“Foreign guests come only for a few hours and it is not possible for them to download the Goa Miles app and book a taxi. They don’t have time. Perhaps Goa Miles could set up a counter for these guests at the cruise berth if required. We don’t want guests to be inconvenienced or delayed or stuck because of downloading the Goa Miles App and booking a car. We have no other issue nor are we opposing the Goa Miles App,” said
Kanoji.
