Taxi unions protest bypass of hotel queue system in South Goa

Members of the North and South Goa Taxi Union with the Sarpanchas of Cavelossim and Carmona at Colva police station on Monday.

Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar

MARGAO

The taxi row flared up on Monday as North and South Goa Taxi Union members went to Colva police station to protest against outside taxis picking up hotel guests in South Goa.

Cavelossim Sarpanch Dixon Vaz and Carmona Sarpanch Sandra Fernandes joined taxi owners, demanding action to protect local taxi drivers.

The unions submitted a memorandum seeking police intervention to maintain peace. They said many hotels follow the “Q System” for taxis. “Under this system, hotels provide a dedicated counter for taxi operations, and guests book taxis directly from these counters. This arrangement has been in place and followed for many years, ensuring an organised and fair system for both guests and local taxi drivers,” they said.

They told the police that some using websites have begun picking up guests directly from hotels. “Despite being aware of the existing hotel counter taxi services, these external drivers come to the hotels for pickups, often leading to arguments with the local drivers who are operating under the established system. These arguments frequently escalate into violence, ultimately requiring police intervention,” the memorandum added.

Dixon said the taxi business is the only livelihood left for Goans, urging the government to resolve the issue before the Assembly session. Sunil Anand Naiks said the queue system ensures fair rotation but outside taxis affect local drivers’ earnings.