Team Herald
PANJIM: After Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) Chairman Nilesh Cabral, Housing Minister Jayesh Salgaonkar has come out in support of the tourist taxi operators to oppose any attempts to bring outstation cab services into Goa. However, the minister has suggested converting the existing fleet of taxis into Ola and Uber-like services.
“I support the tourist taxi operators’ demand. Why do we need non-Goan cab agencies to operate in the State? We can convert our own cabs on lines with Ola and Uber-like services,” Salgaonkar told Herald after a meeting with local taxi operators at Reis Magos on Tuesday.
He stated that taxi operators have welcomed the move but the issue needs more deliberations in the coming days.
Asked whether the exorbitant fares by taxi drivers were justified, he said, “Government should enforce strict regulations like digital meters.”
Salgaonkar added that taxi drivers in other states too charge heavy fares from passengers but not without the latter knowing the reason behind it. “Charges vary depending on the routes as well as timing. The fare during the day on a particular route will increase during the night hours. This happens in certain other states. Our taxi operators replicate it in Goa but usually passengers do not understand which is why there is tussle between the taxi drivers and the passengers,” he explained.
“Government can specify the rates on each routes and the time. It can be displayed at major locations,” he added.
In a bid to save their business while also ensuring it is regulated, Salgaonkar has sought to approach Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar after meeting Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo and Minister Vinod Palyekar.
