SANTOSH NAIK
PONDA
It has been a form of public transportation unique to Goa but a motorcycle pilot could well become an extinct career in the near future, going by the challenges and difficulties being faced by those in the profession.
The motorcycle pilots from Ponda have complained that the growing number of private vehicles, poor facilities and the withdrawal of govt subsidies have made it difficult for them to earn a decent livelihood.
“I opted for this trade, as there was no other employment avenue. I undertake 5-6 trips and earn around Rs 300 per day, but sometimes it’s difficult to get that much amount due to lack of customers, as many people have purchased two-wheelers in recent times. We do not get enough customers,” said Sanjay Gavde, a motorcycle taxi pilot since the past 22 years.
“I start the day in the morning and I usually leave for home late in the evening. If we fall sick, we lose the entire earning for the day,” he said.
Speaking to Herald, Ankush Gavde, Savlo Naik and Shiva Goankar, all motorcycle pilots in Ponda, said that since they are engaged in self-employment, the government should encourage them in the form of loans to construct houses and schemes for their families.
“The government provides many schemes to government employees, mining dependent and other poor sections of society. Now, the government should also look to provide succour to the motorcycle pilot community. This is not a profit-making business and in recent times, we are witnessing a fall in our business,” laments All Goa Motorcycle Taxi Rider (AGMTR) Ponda Block President Sanjay Gavde.
“The safety of our customers is paramount to us and it is our first priority, while earning money is secondary,” said Gavde. “People from various strata of society, including doctors, advocates, women and senior citizens, rely on us motorcycle pilots and have full faith in us.”
“But the pilots do not have handsome schemes to raise their financial status or even other benefits, such as education to children. Some pilots are educated and since the government has failed to give us government jobs, we should at least get some sort of financial support to run this business,” he said.
“The government had started some schemes, but they were not functional after a short while. Despite having many problems, we always come to the stand and wait for customers,” added Gavde.
“Since people trust us, even tourists use our service. The growing number of private vehicles and government’s apathy to our difficulties has made us helpless. There are about 200 motorcycle pilots in Ponda and we need the government’s support,” he said.
“Our stand is notified, but we do not have sheds to protect us from rain or the scorching heat. The government hasn’t shown any interest towards the welfare of the pilots.”
Sanjay Gavde said the government had assured the motorcycle pilots to construct sheds to help the riders, especially during rains.
“But nothing has been done in this regard. About 10 years ago, the government had launched a scheme for motorcycle pilots to purchase motorcycles on subsidy, but it was later withdrawn. The government had also started a scheme in 2002 to provide repair allowance for motorcycles. This worked only for a short period and it is presently not functioning at all,” he said.
“Besides, a pension scheme to provide Rs 1,000 as financial support to pilots above 50 years was started a few years back, but it too was withdrawn since the last two years,” Gavde added.
The motorcycle pilots are now worried that the new helmet rule could spell further doom for them and their livelihood.
“Due to constant use, we suffer from many problems. Moreover, since wearing of helmets has been made compulsory for our customers, we could even lose their livelihood. The government should think twice before making such decisions, or at least, it should exempt pilots and their pillion riders (customers) from compulsory use of helmets. This is because helmets used by one customer will not be accepted by other customers,” said a motorcycle pilot.
