And once they get there, each internal travel plan, even for short distances is fraught with a risk of harassment and massive spending.
It’s a free for all, unchecked harassment riot which cannot be supported any at cost and by anyone who has the commonsense to see why this is so wrong. But the state of Goa and its government doesn’t seem to want to look and arrest this. Senior politicians with a stake in the tourism sector have flatly asked journalists of Herald not to ask them questions on the tourism killing rates charged, till the elections are over.
Horror stories have emerged over the Christmas and New Year weekend. Tourists asked to pay 35 pounds to Calangute from the airport but it doesn’t end there. Some have been charged even Rs 5000. Still others have been abruptly stopped at the KTC bus stand in Margao and forced to take another cab to their hotel in the deep south. The police stationed at the airport have been witness to the harassment of tourists and have chosen to remain silent. What is happening on the ground is uncontrolled mayhem. And this is happening because tourists are not voters while the taxi men are. And in election year it doesn’t matter if our guests are ill treated and tortured as long as the those who torture tourists, vote for a party which lets them do this unchecked.
To top it all the some taxi unions and others have actually had the temerity and the guts to justify this loot. Here are some of their arguments and our counter questions
Taxi owners say: Nobody questions why the airline companies and inter-state bus operators shoot up their charges during the peak season. Why are the tourist taxis targeted?
Herald responds: When airline companies shoot up their rates, they are visible online and the customer has a choice whether to buy at those rates or not or go to other airlines. What choice does the hapless tourists landing in Goa have when confronted by taxi owners with no alternate mode of transport available. It is the same taxi lobby which has prevented radio taxis and a good bus service to the airport
One taxi operator says: Are we stealing someone’s money? No, we are charging extra because the situation demands it. There is lot of traffic on the roads and we not only have to spend extra travel time but also spend on fuel
Herald responds: Yes you are stealing the money of tourists. This is nothing short of daylight robbery. You are taking advantage of a state going onto elections knowing no politician will stop you because of vote bank politics. Rates cannot be hiked at random because the “situation demands it”. Taxi operators should get into a system where rates are fixed, meters are in operation and during peak times, pre-decided surge pricing should apply.
General Secretary of The North Goa Taxi Owners Association Vinayak Nanoskar says: Complaining tourists should not visit the State when they fail to understand ‘genuine issues’ faced by the taxi operators.
Herald responds: It’s a shame that a stakeholder of tourism like a taxi owner’s association head says complaining tourists shouldn’t visit the state. This bullish arrogance of taxi operators cannot be allowed to kill tourism in Goa, affecting so many businesses linked to tourism. The only ‘genuine issue’ is that taxi operators refuse to fall in line and be a part of a regulated system where they earn what is just and tourists are not fleeced.
Another absurd logic of taxi owners: It takes us six hours from Calangute to Dabolim airport and around 2-3 hours from Calangute to Baga. Who will pay for the fuel? We (over) charge but it is for a reason that we do.
Herald responds: This is a blatant untruth. It does not take 6 hours to reach Dabolim from Calangute. When rates are fixed, with surge pricing during peak times and during special days, it all evens out. And waiting charges are in built in taxi meters. Let tourists pay according to fixed rates including rates for waiting.
There have been enough consultations. No party has had the courage to take on the taxi lobby for the sake of tourists. But to save tourism, the hegemony of this lobby working against the interests of Goa has to be broken.
