PANAJI
The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) has urged the government to share the draft of the proposed Digital Taxi Policy and include all stakeholders in consultations with the State, expressing its intentions for a digital overall approach.
In a letter to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, TTAG Executive Secretary Amey Naik said the association had learnt about the proposed policy through the Budget announcement and discussions in the Assembly.
“We have heard about the Proposed Digital Taxi Policy, as announced during the budget and as discussed in the Assembly recently. We have been informed that the Goa Government intends to standardise taxi fares and bring the sector under a digital platform to improve transparency and accountability,” reads the letter.
“Also, the government has already held consultations with taxi owners last week and clarified that only the State-run app GoaMiles and the Goa Taxi App would be authorised platforms under the new system. While we welcome the initiative of the government to tackle this taxi matter related to apps, we would like to strongly suggest that consultations should be done along with all stakeholders, as this proposed policy will affect everyone in Goa.”
Naik said that TTAG has always held a strong stance that all apps should be allowed in Goa to ensure fair competition as well as affordable and transparent pricing.
However, it needs a copy of the draft to study the document and provide feedback.
It also urged the government to make TTAG part of future consultations, stating that the proposed policy would impact tourism operators, businesses and commuters across Goa.
“We hope that this matter is taken to its logical conclusion and that the government holds firm in moving Goa’s taxi sector to the digital age along with all other sectors that have done the same,” Naik said.
