the goan I network
VASCO
Taxi operators at the Dabolim International Airport have started to feel the pinch with a drastic decline of international and domestic passengers amid the global coronavirus scare.
While the central government had issued directives temporarily banning visas to international tourists and suspending visa-free travel for OCI citizens, the state government recently decided to shut down clubs, discos and casinos as preventive measures against the dreaded coronavirus, which has further affected the flow of domestic and international passengers in Goa.
Sudesh Naik, Vice President of United Taximen Union, an association of around 350 yellow-black taxis, said there has been a drastic fall in their business.
“We have always provided public service and we will continue to offer good service to passengers despite the coronavirus threat. We ensure that our cars are sanitised and we also wear masks, while we also persuade passengers that they must take utmost care while they are in Goa for a visit,” said Naik.
“The number of passengers are on a decline and there used to be a great flow of tourists during the weekend, but this has not been there since the last few days. We are facing 70% decline in business. While we used to get around 2-3 trips a day, the situation is such that we at times don’t get even a single trip because people have stopped travelling because of the coronavirus scare. Sometimes, there are as less as 10-20 passengers in a flight,” added Naik.
Gurudas Pai, President of Panjim Yellow-Black taxi association said yellow-black taxis were mostly depending on tourists and with the latest directives by the State Government, business had gone for a toss.
“After the CM recently declared that all casinos, etc. would be closed till March 31, we have almost shut shop because we are directly dependent on tourism, be it international or domestic.”
“Goa is a tourist state and we are directly dependent on tourism and as such, we are the biggest sufferers. The CM must come out with some package for yellow-black taxis at least as a relief package, because we will soon come down to zero business with no tourists coming in,” said Pai.
