PANJIM: Indirectly informing that the GoaMiles service cannot be scrapped, Minister for Ports Michael Lobo on Saturday said that the government has to implement taxi meters at the earliest.
Calling the tussle between the GoaMiles drivers and the Taxi Owners Associations as unfortunate, Lobo said that the government has to bring out a solution to the issue.
“I have asked Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant for a solution to the issue. This cannot continue like this, the government has to implement taxi meters at the earliest,” he said.
When asked about the incidents of taxi operators assaulting the GoaMiles drivers, Lobo said that one must understand that due to pandemic the taxi drivers have suffered a lot.
“When your family is starving due to no business and the banks are after you for installments’ default, the people lose patience, especially when someone else is taking away their bread. It is easy to talk sitting in air conditioned houses. I know their plight as I am always on the ground,” the minister said.
On allegations of overcharging by the taxi operators, Lobo said,” That is why I am asking for implementation of meters. There should not be any bargaining. The fares have to be charged as per the meter rate.”
