Taximen meet Lobo couple for support to oppose aggregators

MAPUSA

Taxi operators from Calangute and Siolim constituencies recently met with Calangute MLA Michael Lobo and Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo to seek their support against the taxi aggregator policy and to back the demands of taxi drivers. During the meeting, some disagreements emerged between the taxi drivers and Michael Lobo.

Later, speaking to reporters, leader of operators Yogesh Govekar, also known as Mogambo, said they strongly oppose the taxi aggregator policy. “The aggregator policy aims to end the livelihood of traditional taxi drivers. We are now fed up of false promises by the government and want our demands to be fulfilled,” said Govekar.

“We have requested the MLAs of Calangute and Siolim constituencies to support our demands. It is a question of our livelihoods and hence, no one should play politics and take us for granted,” warned Govekar.

“If our elected representatives do not give us the expected support, we will respond in the upcoming assembly elections. We will announce our strategy in the future.”

Later, Michael Lobo told reporters that tourists should return home with good memories, so transparency in the taxi business is important. “The solution will come with discussions with the chief minister regarding this issue. If we want quality tourists and good tourism in the state, then there should be transparency in the taxi business,” said Lobo.

“We are working in the tourism sector. Therefore, as consumers, we have an idea of what tourists say. For this, transparency is needed. If we want quality and good tourism in the State, some things should be put in place.”