TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Tourists and locals alike who complain about exorbitant fares charged by cab drivers to and from Dabolim airport, should be able to breathe easy as Goa government is expected to implement a new prepaid GPS cab service by Diwali. This system will put in place at other tourist spots later on.
The government in consultation with taxi operators has finalized bringing in 200 yellow-black taxis and 150 white cabs, stationed outside the airport, under a single roof. They will be named ‘airport taxis’ once the system is in place.
Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar made this announcement at a press conference on Tuesday following a joint meeting of tourism officials, RTO, traffic police and the taxi operators concerned. The arrangement will also ensure security of the passengers as the whereabouts of each GPS-equipped taxi will be monitored by the tourism and police departments.
“Both taxi operators have agreed to the decision. These will have digitized meters, Google map and other gadgets. Wherever the taxis go with or without passenger, it will be tracked,” the minister said adding the government will bear the cost for the changes. The taxis will also have a common colour code.
Similarly, passengers reeling under exorbitant fares will also not be cheated as government has resolved to finalize uniform fare chart. “The passengers will be given a slip of the travel fare, which will be connected with the authorities concerned. There is no scope for cheating the passengers,” Parulekar added.
Moreover, a common counter for all the taxis put up outside the airport under the new system. More counters at Porvorim, Calangute and other tourist locations would be set up from where the passengers can also book their travel to airport or Konkan Railway stations.
