PANJIM: Stiff opposition by the yellow-black taxi operators against the continuing with GoaMiles app-based cab service has not stopped some of them from joining the nine-month old service.
Since an announcement on Monday that GoaMiles has begun enrolling yellow-black taxis, the agency has received around 30 applications from these operators expressing their willingness to join the app service.
Goa Miles MD Utkarsh Dabhade confirmed that 25-30 drivers of yellow-black taxis have applied to join the service within three days of the announcement. However, enrolment would begin only after the applicants’ count touches 100 numbers.
“We have received 25-30 applications from the yellow-black taxi drivers/operators, but enrolment will commence after it reaches a sizeable number like 100. This will be the first batch to go live on the app-based taxi service,” he told Herald. Considering the response so far, the agency is certain to begin the new enrolment soon.
GoaMiles began the enrolment as per the Gazette notifications dated March 14, 2019. Director of Operations, GoaMiles Parashar Pai Khot had said that with the inclusion of yellow black taxis and also for those drivers who are without trips for 3-4 days, this app will benefit with better business opportunities with as many as 6 trips on an average, every day.
At the time of the launch last August, it was announced that Yellow Black Taxis will be added soon along rickshaws and motorcycle pilots. GoaMiles will soon add rickshaws soon after the first batch of the yellow-black taxis begin operations This will be followed by the enrolment of pilot services.
GoaMiles has reiterated that they have made sure that this service benefits the taxi drivers and others who are willing to join the app, as it does not charge anything from their revenues, as against the popular trend elsewhere in India and world over.
