The state needs to be firm in its resolve to put an efficient and transparent system in place
Once again, the coastal MLAs had their way. On Friday, following pressure from them, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that taxi aggregators from outside the state, such as Ola and Uber, would not be introduced in Goa. This has upset citizens who had been waiting to see one of the top taxi aggregators operate in the state. The Chief Minister, however, has assured that the government will soon put a system in place wherein a fixed fare will be followed.
The Chief Minister made the statement following a meeting with two coastal MLAs – Michael Lobo (Calangute) and Jit Arolkar (Mandrem) – and representatives from taxi unions. He said that the draft notification issued by the government last month was meant to finalise the guidelines for taxi aggregators and not to bring in national-level aggregators. He also said that the government will take all stakeholders, including taxi operators, MLAs, and hoteliers, into confidence before the taxi aggregator issue is finalised. He proposed to bring about a system to ensure that “a uniform and transparent fare rate” becomes the order of the day.
Representatives of the taxi unions who attended the meeting expressed their strong opposition to the aggregator system. They, along with the MLAs, also demanded that the draft notification on aggregator guidelines be kept in abeyance. The last date to submit responses to the draft notification is June 19.
Lobo, who has always supported the local taxi operators, advocated for a transparent system with fixed government-notified rates accessible via a mobile app. He said there should be no room for negotiations and no inflated rates charged by taxi operators. He said that being a tourist destination, this was important so that tourists have good memories of Goa.
Less than a month ago, the Transport Director issued the draft notification – Goa State Transport Aggregator Guidelines – to push for an app-based transport system in the state. He had meticulously worked on the guidelines, and it looked like Goa would soon have an app-based taxi system in place. There has been support for it from trade bodies and locals. On the other hand, taxi unions mobilised support to oppose it. They approached coastal MLAs to gain their backing. Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho has been firm in pushing for the app-based system.
Taxi operators seem to have some misconceptions about the aggregator system. They are opposed to aggregators from outside the state but have also not joined GoaMiles, the government-backed app-based aggregator launched in 2019. They have cited grievances such as not getting customers on return journeys or poor mobile connectivity in remote parts of Goa. However, they cannot remain closed-minded about app-based taxi services in a tourist state like Goa.
It is also the government’s responsibility to convince them that the system is in the interest of the state, taxi operators, locals, and tourists. Through local MLAs and other leaders, taxi operators need to be made aware of the importance of joining an app-based system.
The issue has been dragging for years. It affects not only tourists but also locals. The government has succumbed to the taxi lobby in the past. It cannot afford to miss this opportunity. Politically, there is no one the government can blame. The BJP and its allies hold 33 seats in the 40-member House. Is that not enough to take some tough decisions? It’s time to move ahead and enforce an app-based system in the state.
