TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: The government proposes to issue a fresh gazette notification fixing new tariffs taking into consideration the views of taxi operators, hoteliers, tour operators, travel agents and rates prevailing in other states, in a bid to resolve the on-going rift between tourist taxi operators and hoteliers in the State of Goa.
At a meeting held Wednesday between government and South Goa tourist taxi operators, the government has decided that it would work on a taxi policy to regulate, streamline and monitor taxi operations in the State.
When there is a consensus for installation of meters and a single window system, it would make it easier for the government to come out with such a policy.
It was felt that the taxi operators have to look at giving bulk rates at competitive pricing to avail of the business of the major tour operators.
President of TTAG Francis Braganza suggested that the gazette of December 2006 has been revoked by another gazette notification of 2010 and that the government should come out with a new gazette in 2013 after taking the view of all stake holders and considering the official rates prevailing in other states as well.
Braganza said, “A separate rate at a lower level should be fixed for bulk purchasers of taxis like the bigger Tour and Charter Operators.” The TTAG President impressed upon the government to install meters immediately as that would solve 60 per cent of the problems.
The TTAG President suggested that a single window policy should be implemented for management of all taxi operators under one entity or agency. Such entity will act as an interface between the taxi operators and the hotels-tour operators with uniform pricing. Braganza further pointed out that if one window policy is enacted with differential rates for individual guests and separate rates for bulk purchasers of taxi-transport services, the tour operators and other bulk purchasers will use the taxis available under the one window system.
While turning down the suggestion for a separate counter for taxi operators inside hotels, he supported the operators on the need for taking action against the illegal taxi operators.
The Director of transport Arun Desai said that the proposal for installation of meters would be approved in the next meeting of the STA and will be introduced soon. “The process of selecting the right meters is in progress,” Desai said adding that 50% subsidy would be given to purchase meters.
Benualim MLA Caetano Silva who was also present for the meeting spoke in support of the tourist taxi operators and impressed on all the stakeholders to resolve the long rift between the two factions.
Director of Tourism Nikhil Desai said, “A taxi policy will be framed and implemented before the next season so that we will not have problems during the next season.”
