The announcement of any election puts the administration in suspended animation, nothing moves, everyone is on election duty or bound by poll code. This has given our new CM time to study the issues pending for a while now. One such issue pending is public transportation and what is wrongly termed a tourist taxi problem. 

The reason, it is wrongly termed as a tourist taxi problem is because the tourist taxi policy was formulated in the 80’s. It was meant to allow local youth to find self employment with the tourism industry. The taxi operators feel that tourism was advocated to give them earning opportunity, the reality is because of tourism taxi operators have opportunity. Because of this mistaken notion, the industry itself has evolved but the tourist taxi trade is stuck in a time wrap.

While earlier tourists backpacked in 1’s and 2’s today they travel in groups. Because by definition they had to have taxis or they were unable to see the change coming, they did not shift to investing in coaches. Therefore today they want the tour groups to use taxis, because they have invested in taxis. 

The taxis’ operators and their backers feel that the tourism policy expressly promised a source of livelihood for the youth living around the hotels. So they insist that groups who would normally anywhere in the world travel in a single coach, must in Goa, travel by the taxi so more of them get their livelihood for the day. Would these taxi operators go on a group tour and take individual vehicles or would they prefer a coach as it works out cheaper and is also more fun as a group? 

It is time this “tourist taxi policy” evolves to a “Goa taxi policy. The new policy must cater to the 15 lakh locals. It must include taxis, motorcycles and rickshaws. Today, locals need transportation, there is more to go around to in Goa. In the 80’s locals were content to be house bound. The rules for drinking and driving have become more stringent and thus those partying want an affordable and available alternative to self driving. With the local population migrating or working abroad, or simply older people living alone, transport is needed which is accessible 24x7. There are many more reasons to use a taxi but one can simply add to the list and ferrying tourist is just another opportunity.

The Chief Minister must bring the transport department, prominent industry groups, citizens and taxi operators and review this tourist taxi policy. There should be a dialogue between the taxi operators and the stake holders which is more than just hotels and travel operators. In the past taxi operators have had one sided dialogues, they would group together at a particular location and threaten to hold the State to ransom if their demands were not met. This is not dialogue but a show of strength. Three hundred-odd taxi operators holding the entire State to ransom is a bit absurd. Despite this, their supporters say the taxi operators have been wrongly classified as goons. If true feedback is taken from tourists it will show a different picture, there are enough horror stories from locals which is testimony itself.

An online presence will address many of the issues the taxi operators have. Fares of foreign reps against taxi fares, online feedback is totally transparent and rating can be driver wise so no painting everyone with same brush. There would be no question of insurance as it would stop illegal taxis from operating. 

The taxi operators keep talking about restrictive and unfair trade practices that diminish earning opportunity. They never specify what these practices are. People drive to the airport and park for three or four days because it is cheaper that taking a taxi. Tourists stay in their hotels or bring their own cars. Locals loathe to hire a taxi because the fares are outrageous, tourist are brow beaten into taking taxis instead of coaches, this is what diminishes earning opportunity. These are the practices that make everyone feel that taxi operators are goons. Maybe it is just a handful who are the black sheep.

The round table should discuss the introduction of radio taxis, it is the technology today. “Goamiles” is up and running, let others join in, the RTO will have to change the archaic rule that black and yellow taxis cannot pick passengers on the return trip. What a national waste of fuel, manpower and poor asset utilisation. The fear that outsiders will take over the business is unfounded. Already the drivers are outsiders. We have a few cases reported where local MLAs have given character certificates to outsiders to buy and ply taxis. 

There are products available in other States with radio taxis, rental being something new, you can hire a car for a 2 hrs/20 km, 4/40, 6/60 and 8/80. A boon for a local visiting his doctor which may be nearby, and for which he cannot get a taxi easily or if he does he is indebted to the driver. Or maybe delivering wedding cars around your village. Why not, huge earning opportunities across Goa and lots more taxis will be needed. 

What we need now is a dialogue and quick decision making so that the State is no longer held to ransom by 3000-odd taxi operators who are not willing to change for the better. There is no reason why the citizens should suffer in silence. The government must act. This change will benefit locals and automatically benefit tourists. With more business opportunities the taxi trade will flourish. Win win for all.

(The author prefers to write rather than chat in a balcao)