
PANJIM: On Saturday 26th October a speeding rent-a-car knocked down three pedestrians on the four- lane highway near Upasnagar junction, Sancoale, killing a 60-year-old on the spot and leaving two others grievously injured who later succumbed to their injuries. In this edition of street voices, Herald TV spoke to various people on the lack of affordable and convenient taxi services leading to unregulated and unsafe rent a car business.
Although Goa is a tourist destination, transportation is the biggest problems we face, whether it is the residents or the tourists. The taxi service started due to transportation problem. Because of less taxis they may have hiked the prices to make a living. When I go to other states I find the cheapest mode of transport to save money.
Tourist opt for rent a car since they cannot afford taxis due to the pricing. This has to be controlled. The RTO should control the number of licences given for rent a car. They should now freeze the number of rent a cars.
Any developed nation is seen as developed when the rich can travel in the public transport system. Goa has a poor transport system, so people opt for taxi services. The government cannot regulate or control the taxi services. So tourists hire rent a car.
The way rent a cabs have spread throughout Goa. It is good, but the care are misused (by tourists). And who is responsible for this? It is the Goa transport minister. His attention is totally focussed on properties in Sancoale. They are troubling the taxi operators, even as they contributed to the economy. Government has to support them.