Taken for a ride?
Though the end to the taxi operators’ strike has come as a big relief to tourists and to those in the tourism industry, the fact that many MLAs went out of their way to appease taxi operators is appalling. Goa Vikas Party MLA Mickky Pacheco who was asked by the media if there would be regularization of taxi fares to save commuters from being fleeced actually justified the overcharging by taxi operators saying that hotels too charged higher room tariffs during peak season, as if one can justify one wrong with another. Asked if the government would endeavour to train taxi drivers, some of whom need lessons in good manners to handle tourists, the Benaulim MLA preferred to blame tourists claiming they behaved badly, dressed badly and were often seen drinking in the open. For a legislator to sacrifice the larger interests of the state so he can pander to a small constituency of taxi operators for electoral considerations is hardly reassuring.
Mercifully, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo has been far more balanced in his views following Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s mediation to resolve the protest by the tourist taxis. He called on them to behave properly with visitors and to treat them like royalty rather than to target them for harassment. Lobo made the point that good manners and politeness were an integral part of the taxi business. The chief minister too needs to be commended for being firm with the taxi operators and he should continue to be so, despite the temptation to concede to all sorts of demands that are likely to be made ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
It is true that taxi operators are sons of the soil and should be supported by the government. So should every other Goan who ventures into a self-employed enterprise. But no one should be given a carte blanche to cheat and inconvenience others while engaging in their profession. It is therefore very surprising that the government has reportedly conceded to taxi meters only for yellow and black taxis and not for tourist taxis. Why two separate yardsticks for the same business? Why should they be exempt from regulated fares, uniforms and meters? While they have succeeded in blocking big outside players from stepping into the taxi business in Goa, why should the Goan public be denied the benefit of radio cabs and other more recent innovations in the system that would improve customer efficiency?
Now that the issue is squarely before the government for a review, it would need to ensure that taxi associations adhere to point-to-point billing to cut fares which as everyone knows are exorbitant even for a tourist destination. After all not everyone who lives here is a tourist and local commuters too are forced to pay the price. Though the steep taxi fares have been an issue for years, the government has not bothered to set up a hotline for complaints against taxi operators. In any business, competition brings down the prices. Why should tour operators not be allowed to ply buses for their guests? Whether it is private rent-a-cars, foreign operators or overcharging by tourist taxis, the government needs to crack down on all illegalities with an equally firm hand. Cabbies, bus operators and rickshaw drivers who are the local interface for new visitors have to be courteous and honest which is crucial to ensure that tourists continue to return.
One of the reasons why there are more and more private cars on the roads in Goa is obviously because our public transport system is pathetic and the taxis take us for a huge ride in fares. And if this is not obvious enough, the government should ask itself why so many tourists now prefer to drive down to Goa in their own cars or hire motorcycles. Taxi operators, many of whom survive solely on their taxi business deserve to earn reasonable profits. But they have no right to hold everyone else to ransom.
Now that the issue is squarely before the government for a review, it would need to ensure that taxi associations adhere to point-to-point billing to cut fares which as everyone knows are exorbitant even for a tourist destination
