MARGAO: Uber and Ola being successful players in the taxi business globally, with their competitive rates, Goans have now set an online petition to bring them to Goa despite opposition from taxi owners.

The social media is abuzz and bursting with support for introducing network taxis in Goa. 

3,701 supporters have signed the change.org petition for Chief Minister of Goa: Support OLA & UBER in Goa while another 1,299 are needed to reach 5,000-mark.

Herald spoke to Goans on social media to feel their pulse.

Digvijit Chavan, a tattoo artist and businessmen mooted the move saying that this would be awesome if the Chef Minister paves way for Uber and Ola taxis in Goa and the kind of pricing they have of just Rs 9 per km against the dynamic pricing that ranging between Rs 1,800 to Rs 3,000 to commute from Margao to Panjim in a tourist taxi.

Well-known orator Colin Savio Coelho supports Uber and Ola in Goa but on a condition that the fleet and taxis are owned by Goans and not outsiders.

Originally from Santa Cruz, Maria Correia, a missionary in Africa feels that the networked cabs would be a great idea but she questions what stops the government currently from regulating fares of existing taxis which would be a win-win for all.

Mark Rocha, a former RJ, feels that the rates of Uber and Ola are so low that their drivers will have to ply 10-15 trips a day to make the same amount of money that a Goan cab driver makes in a single trip; he wondered whether the Goan taxi drivers would be able to compete with that kind of competition.

Meanwhile, journalist Gwenlyn Noronha looking at the many rape incidents in Delhi involving cabbies hopes that Uber and Ola if introduced in Goa should carry out a proper background check when employing them.

While musician Zubin de Miranda believes it will be a good progress for Goans and tourists. As Goa’s taxi drivers aren’t fair with their pricing while even the rickshaw guys in Goa for that matter.

Vaibhav Pai Fondekar, a student, opined that since more and more taxis enter the business every year, the rates should have come down, and wondered why the rates have remained very high despite there being large number of taxis on the roads.

Master of Ceremonies Desmond Oliveira stated that a move like bringing them to Goa could be a super boon for all the cabmen who currently have guaranteed business. 

Ankita Sharma, a writer from Jaipur who previously worked in Goa, recollects how she was in Goa last month and it was quite a trouble in finding a ride since local cabs are expensive.

An employee with the FC Goa setup, Julian de Gouveia Pinto believes that there are a lot of people here who are concerned about fairness with regard to Goan taxi drivers and protection of their livelihood.

“But to be honest I couldn't care less about them since they've held everyone and their dog to ransom for far too long. If the “spineless” government somehow manages to conjure up the courage to push this through, I'll be shocked but also very happy about it. Local cab drivers are crooks and it's about time they're put in their place,” stated Julian.

Former sports writer Sullivan Noronha stated that the problem with most Goans today is racism and classism or whatever you want to term it.

“When we go out to work in other cities or states, no one has an issue and we happily accept jobs? So why deny people of a chance to work? Would you rather see them beg by the road or actually work for their meals? You think charging people 500 bucks to go from Baga to Arpora are fair? Nowhere else in India do you pay such exorbitant fares for intra-city travel? Uber/Ola will solve the issues of the vast majority,” claimed Sullivan.

Air hostess Beverley Noronha said, “She uses Uber on a regular basis in cities across the world. It works perfectly and the best feature is that I can book one anytime using an app on my smartphone and I have the ability to track the cab driver and send my travel status with a friend so that I am safe even if I am travelling in the middle of the night. Goa taxi service firstly is a rip off. It reduces mobility and thus people (tourists) don't want to venture out in Goa for the fear of not getting transport back. Why should we pay a ridiculous amount of money for a trip that should actually cost half of that?”

“Maybe if Uber has a quota for existing taxi drivers in Goa to join it on a first preference basis, then I think it will be a win-win situation,” feels Reuben D'Souza who’s moved from Goa to California. 

Tudor Dias, an hotelier said that it’s absolutely need of the hour to help late-party goers who don't have to worry about drinking, driving and parking.