VASCO: Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho said that GoaMiles is willing to offer electric vehicles (EVs) and housing facilities to taxi drivers in the State.
Godinho, who inaugurated GoaMiles counter at the Dabolim Airport, said that the company intends to convert about 100 taxis into electric vehicles at no additional cost and then increase the number of EVs to 200 to 300. The GoaMiles is also willing to provide free housing facility to taxi drivers.
The State government also has plans of starting pension scheme for taxi operators.
Godinho assured United Taximen Union operating Yellow and Black Taxi at the airport that he will keep his word and not work against their interests and appealed to them not to get misguided. The government has agreed to their demands of having two counters at the airport but the Union has no faith presently, he said assuring them that the government will protect their interests.
“We want to have both taxi services so that people have a choice while we adopt new technology,” he said.
Stating that GoaMiles will continue to operate at the airport, Godinho said that the government will support taxi operators if they want to start their own app service. But he rued that despite several requests for last two years, it had not happened and appealed to taxi operators to approach the government if they had any issues.
The Minister also directed the RTO and the police to stop all touting and illegal taxi operators at the airport for the betterment of both the operators.
