PANJIM: Ahead of its first anniversary, Goa’s first mobile-app taxi based service GoaMiles has claimed it is the only project in Asia that does not charge a single rupee from its taxi operators, all of whom are of Goan origin.
The Goa Tourism Development Corporation’s (GTDC) venture, launched on August 6, 2018, has been facing the ire of the traditional tourist taxi operators who are demanding that government should scrap GoaMiles or face agitation.
Managing Director of GoaMiles Utkarsh Dabhade slammed those stakeholders opposing the project without having clear knowledge about it. “There has been uproar of opposing without understanding. This is one of the only projects in entire Asia started on No Revenue from taxi owners/drivers pocket. It gives them taxi business for free thus protecting the interest of local Goan taxi operators. We also strictly abide by all Transport Department Rules and Regulations,” he said in an interview with Herald.
“We are living in democratic country and economy. Nobody can force or dictate our tourists or passengers to change their choice of taxi service,” he said pointing at increasing opposition to the ongoing project.
The app-based taxi service, Dabhade said, does not have and will not induct any non-Goan taxis and/or non-Goan taxi operators. “We want our taxi operators to be the brand ambassadors of Goa and treat our guests well and we will see much more business coming to Goa,” he added.
With the government attempting to break the ice between the taxi operators and GoaMiles, Dabhade said he is optimistic the fleet size will further increase while he also emphasised on how the world is moving ahead with app-based taxi services for more transparency and visibility.
“We are absolutely sure that when local operators see and join hands with GoaMiles, they are going to benefit as we don’t charge the way traditional taxi drivers are being charged, in India, or even worldwide. If taxi operators claim the taxi business is in the hands of Goans, we invite them join the app and make it run 100 percent Goan,” he commented.
Looking at the taxi market size, GoaMiles has decided to not limit the number of vehicles joining the app service. It now intends to add another 1,000 and more vehicles this year.
The fleet might also include more services such as autorickshaws and two-wheelers. Dabhade said, “We definitely aim to bring the said digital transparency with addition of more services as it is in favour of having different modes of travel from one single app. We aim to introduce the services in couple of quarters from now.”
GoaMiles has completed its 1st financial year with nine months span and its total contribution of 5 percent GST is around Rs 50 lakh so far.
