Goa to have its own app-based taxi service soon

PANJIM: The Goa government on Tuesday said it will launch its own app-based taxi service “Goa Taxi”, which will provide a platform for all taxi operators in the State. 

The app, to be developed through Goa Electronics Limited (GEL), is likely to be launched in December-January, next year. 

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant held a meeting in this regard with Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho and Information Technology and Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte. The meeting decided to take all the taxi operators and concerned stakeholders into confidence while designing the app. 

Speaking to mediapersons post meeting, Godinho said the app-based taxi service is a need of the hour to ease the transportation system in Goa. He said the government had initially planned to introduce Ola or Uber app-based taxis in the State; however, the idea has been dropped. 

“You are aware, when we announced to bring in Ola and Uber, every section of the society welcomed our decision,” he said.

“But now, they have their own peculiar problem. They are in debt. Also States like Karnataka have banned them from operating,” Godinho said. 

The Minister said that decision has been taken that GEL will develop the app, taking all stakeholders into confidence. “The app will be called Goa Taxi app. All the taxi operators will be taken onboard. We intend to introduce it by December this year or January, next year,” he said. 

“We will design the app in such a way, that taxi operators will feel being part of it. They will be the owner of the app,” Godinho said adding that a special fund will be created which would be utilised for the welfare of taxi operators and their family members. 

He said that with Mopa International Airport coming in, they will be in need of app-based taxi services and the same will be provided by our own taxi operators. Godinho also maintained that GoaMiles will continue to operate. 

Later speaking, Minister Rohan Khaunte said all taxi associations will be taken into confidence. He said that the taxi business in Goa cannot remain away from adopting the technology, which is used world-wide. 

“It would be an inclusive app. The talks are in preliminary stage,” he said.