PANJIM: Sticking obstinately to their stand against aap-based taxi services, tourist taxi operators have opposed yet another proposal from the government, this time one that would not involve a private party, but be monitored by Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC).
“Let them start taxi business and take everything from us,” North Goa Tourist Taxi Owners Association General Secretary Vinayak Nanoskar said. “There is corruption in tourism. They all are working for corruption. GTDC started women taxi service some years back but it isn’t
operating to the expectation. They are working for their own pocket,” he alleged.
A taxi owner told Herald that the government and GTDC have been dictating terms to them without realising the impact on the business. “We opposed but subsequently agreed to install digital meters, and now there is a proposal for taxi app. Why such complications and confusion in our business? Why can’t the authorities stop interfering in our livelihood?” Ramesh Tanawde, operating two cabs in Vasco said.
The GTDC concept of app-based taxi service involving the local taxi operators is an attempt to rectify the bad holiday experiences that some tourists have had in the past in Goa. “Ninety per cent of tourist taxi operators are good but because of the remaining 10 per cent, tourism is getting a bad name. GTDC is only attempting to ensure they earn good business,” GTDC Chairman Nilesh Cabral said, maintaining that the fares will be ‘government rates’.
GTDC is in contact with a number of renowned aggregators, after which an advertisement will be issued inviting tenders. It will soon meet Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in connection with the proposal.
But taxi operators, despite facing a backlash from tourists on the social media for charging exorbitant fares, have condemned every government move arguing they are not in the interest of the local business. They had earlier rejected Tourism Minister Manohar Azgaonkar’s appeal to take up online cab services like Ola and Uber as a challenge.
In April, Azgaonkar had hinted that outstation app-based taxi agencies – which are a hit in the metropolitan cities – would be a good initiative in the State. “It is a good attempt. I am not saying that Ola and Uber cabs should be brought to Goa but I also believe that our Goans (local tourism stakeholders) should take up the challenge,” he had told Herald.
The minister had maintained that in the competitive world, tourist taxi operators should not feel threatened by online/app-based cab services, if introduced in Goa.
Tired of the taxi mafia, an NRI of Goan origin, Mahesh Sardesai, started an online petition earlier this year to allow Ola and Uber services in Goa to boost the tourism economy. He stated that many tourists were returning to their home towns with ugly memories in view of the high-priced taxi services and scruffy taxi drivers.
There, however, appears to be little support for the taxi operators. Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) backs the app-based service.
“The taxi operators have not understood the advantage and benefits arising out of the app-based taxis. Taxi drivers come to drop passengers at the airport and slyly pick up passengers for even Rs 600 for a drop to North Goa. If they had an app they would earn a proper fare going back. The government needs to educate them on the advantages,” TTAG President Savio Messias said.
Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, who has led various issues of the tourist taxis, is this time supporting the initiative stating, “If it is going to help tourism, then why not implement the system.”
