Team Herald
PANJIM: In a move expected to transform the State’s transport landscape, the Goa government has officially notified the Goa Transport Aggregator Guidelines 2025, paving the way for regulated app-based taxi services across the state. Long resisted by local taxi unions, the entry of aggregators now comes with a policy framework that attempts to balance passenger convenience with driver welfare.
“This is not just about tourists. From working women and senior citizens to persons with disabilities, every Goan deserves access to safe and reliable transport,” said Pravimal Abhishek, Director of Transport. He added, “Even if just 3% of Goa’s population uses taxis daily, locals still generate more trips than tourists. This is a systemic issue affecting residents, not just a tourism concern.”
Despite a high vehicle-to-population ratio—882 vehicles per 1,000 people, more than three times the national average—Goa’s mobility challenges have only grown. The lack of digital integration in taxi services has led to increased dependence on private vehicles, worsening congestion, parking shortages, accidents, and pollution.
While public demand for app-based taxis has steadily increased, local taxi operators have remained wary, citing examples from other states where aggregators’ discount-driven models and high commission rates have reportedly reduced driver incomes. In such cases, platforms have charged up to 30% commission per ride, leaving drivers with a fraction of the fare.
Goa’s new policy directly addresses this concern. “Drivers will receive 100% of the government-notified fare. Any commissions will have to be borne by the platform,” said Abhishek. The current average notified fare stands at Rs 32 per kilometre. Including platform charges and taxes, passengers will pay around Rs 38 per kilometre—still competitively priced. For instance, a ride from Dabolim to Panjim would cost approximately Rs 1,068, while Panjim to Palolem would be Rs 2,173.
In another significant departure from prevailing aggregator practices elsewhere, Goa’s guidelines stipulate that payments must be cleared within 72 hours. Delays beyond this period will attract a 25% penalty on the pending amount.
The policy also encourages drivers to join multiple platforms, ensuring they remain autonomous and are not locked into a single operator. A welfare component has been integrated as well: registered drivers will receive Rs 10 lakh health insurance (increasing 5% annually), partial reimbursement of vehicle insurance, and added benefits for women drivers. Women will also receive a Rs 1 lakh subsidy for purchasing electric vehicles and extended insurance coverage for their families.
The initiative comes at a critical time. In 2024, Goa recorded over one crore tourist arrivals. But officials say the real transport demand lies within the local population, making the policy’s inclusive design all the more important.