Goa finally got an app-based taxi service and it’s the first government-initiated radio taxi service in the country, which comes at zero cost to the government. An app-based taxi service has been the demand from local residents as well as tourists, but opposition from the established taxi operators in the State had stonewalled any attempt to start it. It is only now, with the backing of the government, that a new company has been able to introduce the service in the State, though the resistance from the taxi lobby remains.
A little competition never did harm anybody. The app-based taxi services will bring an end to the monopoly enjoyed by the taxi operators and give the local people and tourists holidaying in the State a choice and better service. The service comes with much promise. For the operator, the app promises the possibility of multiplying the business by up to three times, which means a higher income. For the traveller it promises a more affordable and comfortable ride. At the launch of the service, the Chief Minister assured that there will be no cheating on the fare.
So will the app-based taxi service allow Goans and tourists visiting the State to get to the destination without having to bargain with the taxi driver? That in itself will be a big relief to the people.
It’s too early to tell whether it will succeed, but this is one service that Goa had been missing out on and was required. The success of the service depends on the provider as well as the consumer. That by a day after the launch the app had already been downloaded 12,000 times and 350 trips were made on day 1, is indicative of the demand it will have. While 3000 licensed taxi operators have already shown interest in tying up with the service provider, in the first phase just 350 have been taken on board.
It’s taken about seven months for the GTDC to act on its threat to the taxi operators in January, when the latter had gone on a strike protesting the installation of speed governors in their vehicles. The GTDC chairman had then said that harsh decisions would have to be taken and a strong message has to be sent out to the taxi operators who cannot hold the tourism industry to ransom. On the eve of the strike, GTDC had said it was keeping its options open on introducing taxi services that are app based, if the taxi operators in the State continued to hold the tourism industry to ransom. The strike had not been called off, and for once the government has acted on its threat.
The State’s economy depends considerably on tourism and the taxi service has been a major grouse, with tourists posting of their awful experiences on social media. The season’s opening is less than two months away and this should now reduce the number of complaints, of not bringing an end to them. It needs, however, the cooperation of the existing taxi operators in the State as just 350 or 3000 cabs operating on the app will not change the situation. Taxi operators should look at this as a positive development and join the service, rather than now threatening to start one of their own. Digitalisation has long arrived in the State, and it is driving down the roads on cabs that are taking Goa to the digital era.
