MAPUSA: Citizens for Change, a group of like-minded individuals, met Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant earlier this week to assist in resolving the taxi issue plaguing the State for decades. Until now, citizens or rather the end consumers of the service were left out of the loop in deciding the policy.
The group was led by its convenor Rohan Govekar.
A press release issued by the group stated that they had a fruitful discussion with the chief minister and submitted a list of suggestions, which in their opinion can regularise and streamline the sector.
Their aim is to put in place a system that will be beneficial to the State, its residents, tourists and taxi operators, too.
In their suggestions, they have sought preference to Goan drivers and owners.
They also highlighted that there was a need to strengthen law and order in the State.
“Exemplary punishment be meted out to law breakers and those who instigate disruption of normal life or incite violence. Law be enforced strictly against drunken driving so that people use taxis on their way back home. Affordability of taxis to ensure people use taxis instead of their own cars and crack down on people renting down private vehicles at cheaper rates thereby eating into legitimate taxi business,” they suggested.
The group also suggested that additional aggregators providing round the clock service especially at airports and railway stations should be invited to bring in healthy competition. Aggregator cabs must ensure they fulfill quota of minimum number of rides. That will reassure the drivers of earning enough for their sustenance and also ensure that the aggregator fulfill their part of providing clientele to taxis. Surge pricing may be charged via app during peak hours/to destinations where service is poor. Surge pricing may not be charged for night duty. Ensure preparedness of the app based system to factor in increased enrollment. Conduct impartial survey of aggregators every month for at least six months.
