Goa’s traditional motorcycle taxi pilots will be offered a digital booking platform, a proposed 50% subsidy on electric bikes and access to welfare measures under announcements made at the launch of MajheApp Driver in Panjim on July 6.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant launched the app at the Institute Menezes Braganza Hall in coordination with the Goa Motor Cycle Taxi Riders Association and the Directorate of Transport. Transport and Industries Minister Mauvin Godinho was present.
The platform is intended to connect customers with registered motorcycle taxi pilots and other local services. The launch included separate driver and customer-facing Android applications, listed as MajheApp Driver and MajheApp Customer.
Sawant said the government was ready to provide a 50% subsidy on e-bikes for traditional motorcycle taxi pilots as part of efforts to promote electric mobility. He said the support would be available to pilots using older motorcycles and registered with the association, with beneficiaries to be selected according to seniority.
“The subsidy will be available to traditional motorcycle taxi pilots using old bikes and registered with the association. Beneficiaries will be selected based on seniority,” Sawant said.
He added that the government was examining a mechanism through which pilots could pay their share of an e-bike’s cost in instalments.
Welfare support from Aug. 1
The chief minister also announced that traditional motorcycle taxi pilots aged above 50 would be covered under the Dayanand Social Security Scheme from Aug. 1. Eligible pilots will receive Rs 2,000 a month after applying to the government, according to the announcement.
Sawant said participation in the app would remain voluntary. “Those who wish to participate can do so, while others may continue operating from their taxi stands,” he said.
The app was developed by Rebekah Lobo and Samuel Timothy. Sawant said pilots without smartphones would be supported so that they could participate in the platform.
The government has described motorcycle taxi pilots as an important part of Goa’s tourism and transport network, particularly for last-mile travel and services in areas with limited public transport options.
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