The issue of Goa’s taxi sector returned to the spotlight in the Legislative Assembly, with the state government announcing that the current Transport Aggregator Policy will be scrapped once a new Digital Taxi Policy is finalized.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant made the statement while responding to concerns raised by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao during a discussion in the House. Sawant said the existing aggregator policy has already been kept in abeyance and will be formally withdrawn once the new policy comes into force.
“The aggregator policy has been kept on hold for the last eight months. Once the new Digital Taxi Policy is finalized, the existing policy will be scrapped,” Sawant said.
Alemao questioned who currently controls the taxi market in Goa and raised concerns about the role of aggregator platforms. He told the Assembly that a large number of taxi operators have opposed the draft Transport Aggregator Guidelines submitted by the government.
According to Alemao, nearly 93 per cent of taxi operators have submitted objections and suggestions to the department regarding the draft guidelines. He said taxi drivers and owners play a key role in the tourism sector and should be treated as ambassadors of Goa.
“Since this government has come to power, our taxi brothers are in pain. There should not be any compromise on their welfare,” Alemao said.
Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho said the government is working to build consensus among stakeholders before implementing the new digital taxi system. He informed the House that a committee comprising representatives from all 36 taxi associations has been formed to study the proposed policy and submit feedback.
Godinho said the associations have been given eight days to present their views and objections so that the government can proceed with the policy after consulting all stakeholders.
The minister said most taxi operators had initially supported the idea of a digital system but some later opposed app-based platforms. He added that while the government has accepted several demands from taxi operators, some groups continue to remain opposed to the proposal.
Godinho also noted that around 15 per cent of Goa’s population currently uses the GoaMiles platform. He said several initiatives have been introduced under the service for the benefit of Goan drivers.
The government’s objective, he said, is to bring all taxi operators in the state onto digital platforms to improve transparency, accessibility and efficiency in the sector.
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