Team Herald
PANJIM: The State Transport Authority (STA) will take a final decision on Friday on the revision of tourist taxi fares. The government has already indicated an increase as the fares were last revised in the year 2014.
The STA headed by Transport Secretary was held on Monday but due to paucity of time, the hearing on revision of tax fares was adjourned to Friday.
“We have received 48 suggestions from stakeholders. The Committee deliberated on inputs and cost structure but due to want of time, discussion and finalization of the new fare rates could not be completed today (Monday). The meeting has been adjourned to Friday, July 4 at 3pm,” Transport Director Rajan Satardekar, also Member Secretary of the STA told Herald.
Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho had last week indicated that the government is likely to increase taxi fares while stating that the STA will be giving its recommendation and that feedback and suggestions sent by the public will also be examined.
The government is however cautious to not allow a steep hike but has defended demands of the taxi operators for an increase. “The last fare revision was in 2014 year. Since then till date, there has been increase in fuel prices multiple times. It would be unjust to not consider demands of the taxi operators but we are also ensuring the increase in taxi fares is logical,” an official said.
Meanwhile, during the meeting, the STA also received representations to defer the ongoing process of fitment of digital taxi meters. The Committee has declined to heed to the demand citing the order of the High Court of Bombay at Goa directing its immediate implementation.
