The frequent bashing up of GoaMiles drivers and damaging their vehicles by their arch rival local tourist taxi operators does not augur well for the travelling public given the fact that Goa touted as a world famous tourist destination does not have a reliable and dedicated transportation system in place.
Ever since the government approved app-based taxi service Goa Miles which was launched in August last year it has been bearing the brunt of the domestic taxi drivers who have the political patronage to brew discontent in the smooth operations of the first of its kind app-based taxi service.The government needs to step in and end this simmering discontent amongst the warring factions with an iron hand which is testing the patience of commuters.
Elsewhere in Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi, there are multiple taxi aggregators like Uber, Ola and Meru cabs who are smoothly running their business and rubbing shoulders with the conventional black and yellow taxis, without hassles. Even the ubiquitous rickshaws of Mumbai have tied up with Uber, known as Uber-Rickshaws for low-budget travellers and are available at the beck and call of.
The Transport Minister should take a cue from the efficient running of the transport system in Mumbai and elsewhere by replicating the same in the state where multiple taxi aggregators co-exist. This healthy competition would bring down the travel cost and alleviate the hardships and inconvenience faced by the public at the hands of a few unscrupulous taxi drivers who are holding the state to ranson with exorbitant word-of- mouth fares.
EVERETTE ASSIS TELLES, Comba-Margao
