Herald: There have been repeated allegations that the tourist taxis fleece customers, especially tourists. How do you react to this?
Vinayak Nanoskar: We have always been a soft target on the issue of fares though the allegations are completely false. Nonetheless, in order to streamline the system, the government had introduced uniform fare service but it has not ensured its implementation despite repeated reminders from us. The association members had 11 meetings with the then chief minister Manohar Parrikar (now defense minister) and subsequently three meetings with present CM Laxmikant Parsekar along with other cabinet ministers. We then approached the concerned tourism and transport officials to display the revised fares at all important tourist locations. All these meetings have turned futile. If we were cheaters as alleged, we would not have insisted the government to implement the flat rates.
Herald: The association is often at loggerheads with rent-a-cab operators over running the business in the State.
Nanoskar: They are more than 2,000 along the coastal area of which majority are illegal. The tourist taxi owners/operators are striving hard to earn their livelihood through legal business whereas a majority rental cabs are illegally operating along the stretch. The rental cabs accused us of overcharging customers. If that is so, why not a single customer has complained on the issue? We run a maximum two taxis compared to rental cabs operators who have on an average at least six cars, given out on huge rent per day.
Herald: What is your suggestion to solve the issue between the two associations?
Nanoskar: The rental cabs should take tourist taxis permit for operations, only then will they know what we suffer. If the government bends to their demand and grant them permit, we will go off the roads on December 23. It looks as if the government is bowing to their pressure tactics. If tourist taxis are resorted to such injustice, we will face the same pitiable situation like the mining truckers who are now jobless and penniless.
Herald: How has been the transport business this tourist season?
Nanoskar: Most of our taxis are tied up with the hotels and it operates in queue system. At times, we get good earning depending on the situation and the locations. Overall, we have limited business along the Candolim-Calangute-Baga stretch while there is no business at Anjuna, Vagator and Morjim areas where only rental cabs and bikes are used by the tourists.
