The Goa government has issued new guidelines for taxis and wants to bring them in line with app-based services. However, the taxi association and taxi owners are not in favour of app-based operations. Currently, the GTDC runs an app called Goa Miles, but taxi owners say it is not beneficial to them as the rent charged by the government is too high.
Two years ago, the government made it compulsory for all taxis in Goa to install meters and speed governors. The meter cost around Rs 12,000, while in other states, the same meter costs only around Rs 3,000. Taxi drivers feel this was forced on them without considering the cost difference.
Today in Goa, there are various transport options: motorcycle pilots for single travellers, rent-a-bikes for couples, rent-a-cabs for families or groups, yellow-black taxis at railway stations, and white tourist taxis for hire. Taxi owners are worried that app-based services will affect their earnings and daily livelihood. Many drivers are over 60 years old and are not familiar with using mobile apps.
The taxi owners and their association are not against technology. However, they want the government to consider the conditions they have suggested. They believe that app-based services like Ola and Uber work in large cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai because of the high population and regular local users. In contrast, Goa is a small state where most families own private vehicles like cars or scooters, so locals rarely use taxis.
Taxis in Goa are mostly used by foreign tourists. Tourists from other Indian states usually come in their own vehicles or use rent-a-car or rent-a-bike services. Taxi owners feel the app-based model may not work in Goa and have submitted written objections to the government at Junta House, Panjim, two days ago. They want the government to understand and resolve their concerns, instead of simply forcing the new guidelines on them.
