PANAJI
Spooked by the traction to the Goa Taxi App bill to a client for a Mopa-Benaulim ride which went viral on social media, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Sunday said it is still early days and the app's functioning will be reviewed and streamlined and that making bills viral is not the solution.
Khaunte, who as tourism minister was instrumental in launching the GEL-promoted app for aggregator taxi services, nonetheless defended the fare in the viral taxi bill saying it conforms to the notified rates of the transport department.
"If anyone has issues with that, there is room for discussion. We will discuss and find a solution,” Khaunte said, adding that issues do crop up with any new initiative.
"We will review and streamline things. Making bills viral like this is not the solution," the tourism minister said, adding that GEL which manages the Goa Taxi App, has been asked to submit a report by Monday giving details of the vehicle used, number of passengers among others related to the Rs 4,148 charged for the 65.86-kilometer ride from Mopa to Benaulim.
Khaunte said, the tourism department has also received complaints via emails that Rs 7,000 to Rs 7,500 were charged for a Mopa to Benaulim taxi trip.
The tourism minister also said that passengers now had options with the KTC buses also servicing passengers from Mopa to South Goa in Rs 500.
“Passengers know the taxi fares beforehand. There cannot be room for complain of what it is,” he said.
