Goa’s Department of Tourism has promised 25 litres of free fuel (petrol, diesel, CNG) to the first 500 taxi drivers who complete 50 rides in 30 days by being active between 8 am and 8 pm. This incentive is to entice drivers to enroll in the Goa Taxi App which was originally launched in September 2023 and has 1,000 drivers. The announcement comes in the background of the release of the draft Aggregators Guidelines in May 2025, that seeks to legalise app-based taxi services. Firstly, although the number of rides is mentioned but the minimum kilometres that a driver has to cover in 30 days to claim the free fuel, needs to be clarified. Secondly, were the drivers who joined in 2023 given free fuel? Or will they be given now? Thirdly, what if some drivers decide to uninstall the App after availing the freebie? Hopefully, there is a minimum period for the drivers to be on the Goa Taxi App. Interestingly, the transport minister claims to be unaware of the above scheme and as per his knowledge nothing new has been launched!
