CM Taxi Scheme’s sops to speed up growth of app-based cab services

Porvorim: For the convenience of passengers, the registration of taxis through an app aggregator will be done, bringing Goa’s taxi services onto a digital platform in one place, announced chief minister Pramod Sawant while presenting the budget on Wednesday.
Sawant proposed to launch the Chief Minister Taxi Assistance Scheme. “This scheme will provide subsidies for replacing tourism taxis with app-based services in Goa,” he said. “Under this scheme, subsidies will be provided for the replacement of tourism taxis and for the development of app-based taxi services. A budget provision of Rs 10 crore has been made for this initiative.”
A provision of Rs 339.8 crore has been made for the transport sector in this year’s budget. Sawant announced that the work to improve the road network for the Mhaji Bus service is under way with a provision of Rs 8 crore.
Additionally, to promote the use of Kadamba buses and improve the environment, it is proposed to switch to CNG-powered buses.
To boost the quality of taxi services, a proposal for new taxi stands in Margao and Vasco is being considered for 2025-26, with a provision of Rs 6.7 crore.
“Govt has approved the construction of four new bus terminals under the PPP model. The work will be carried out with the help of professional consultants,” the CM said. “The first step of this project is the construction of bus stands in Margao and Vasco.”
To optimise the use of waterways, Sawant also proposed to implement the Water Metro project in the state. A provision of Rs 85.8 crore has been made for the river navigation department for this initiative.