The launch of the Majhe Driver App on Mon day marks a significant step towards digitally in tegrating Goa’s tradition al motorcycle taxi sector, offering licensed pilots a platform to expand their services beyond passenger transport while providing commuters a single point of access to book rides and other on-demand services. Developed jointly by the Goa Motorcycle Taxi Riders Association and Graceful Goa SuperApp Private Lim ited, the application allows licensed motorcycle taxi pilots to offer passenger transport, food and grocery delivery, courier and parcel services, shopping assis tance and other on-de mand services through a single digital platform. The app will be available free of cost to all licensed motor cycle taxi pilots.
Goa Motorcycle Taxi Rid ers Association president Suresh Thakur welcomed the initiative, saying it would create new earning opportunities while help ing extend motorcycle taxi services to villages across the state. He stressed, however, that joining the platform would remain entirely voluntary. “No pilot will be compelled to register. Those who wish to expand their business and take advantage of the op portunities offered by the platform are welcome to join,” Thakur said. Thakur said the association had consulted pilots before introducing the platform. “I informed everyone through WhatsApp groups, and everyone was taken into confidence.” He added that pilots unfamiliar with smartphones would receive training to help them operate the application effec tively. Launching the app, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant clari fied that it functions solely as a digital platform connecting commuters with registered motorcycle taxi pilots. He said passengers would pay fares directly to the pilot, while the app would facilitate bookings and help users locate availa ble licensed riders.
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Sawant reiterated that enrolment on the platform is entirely voluntary and said Goa’s approximately 2,500 li censed motorcycle taxi pilots are free to decide whether to join. Those who choose not to register can continue operat ing from their existing taxi stands without any restrictions. To ensure every licensed pilot can access the platform, Sawant announced that riders who do not own smart phones will be provided one free of cost by the company behind the application. He said the initiative forms part of a broader effort to revive Goa’s motorcycle taxi sector, where the number of licensed pilots has declined from nearly 8,000 to around 2,500 over the years. According to Sawant, the digital plat form is intended to improve livelihoods by allowing pilots to diversify their sources of income. Alongside the app’s launch, the government announced several welfare measures for licensed motorcycle taxi pi lots. Eligible riders purchasing new electric two-wheelers will receive a 50 per cent subsidy, while registered pilots above the age of 50 will once again be covered under the Dayanand Social Security Scheme from August 1, making them eligible for a monthly pension of Rs 2,000.
Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho said the government had revised its original proposal of providing free electric motorcycles after consultations with pilots. “Instead of providing free EV bikes, pilots will now be offered heavier electric bikes with a 50% subsidy, consid ering their operational needs. The scheme is voluntary, and pilots can choose whether to opt in. We will provide what ever assistance the pilots need. If they find it beneficial, they can avail themselves of it.” The government also reiterated that it would intensify action against the illegal use of private motorcycles as com mercial bike taxis. Sawant said police stations across the State had been instructed to act against unauthorised op erators, adding that any private motorcycle found ferrying passengers for hire would be seized. “The government stands firmly with licensed motorcycle taxi pilots.
Private vehicles will not be permitted to operate as bike taxis. Licensed riders should immediately report any illegal operations to the authorities.” He also announced that the government has stopped issuing fresh licences for rent-a-car and rent-a-bike busi nesses, saying the decision was aimed at protecting exist ing licensed operators and curbing the unauthorised com mercial use of private vehicles. The Majhe Driver App is expected to be rolled out to licensed motorcycle taxi pilots across Goa in the coming weeks, with training programmes planned to familiarise riders with the platform and its range of digital services.
