No consensus on Goa govt’s plan for taxi digital platform

Panaji: A Goa govt meeting with 36 taxi unions failed to reach a consensus on state’s plans to introduce a digital platform for uniformity of cab fares and bookings. The taxi operators were adamant that govt scrap GoaMiles and the Goa Taxi app before holding discussions about the proposed digital taxi policy.

Govt constituted a four-member committee headed by the deputy transport director to look into the concerns raised by the state’s taxi associations.

Despite the setback, chief minister Pramod Sawant expressed confidence that the impasse would be resolved. “Of the taxi leaders who came for the meeting today, all of them are positive. They will meet on Monday. Step-wise, we will address their concerns,” he said.

His optimism was, however, not shared by taxi union leader Yogesh Govekar, who termed the meeting as a pre-election gimmick. “The app is not feasible. Why would we destroy our livelihood by bringing in an app? Govt just wants to bring in the aggregator lobby,” he alleged.

The meeting came just a day before Sawant presented his final full budget in his current term. In the 2025-26 budget, Sawant had promised to introduce a digital platform to bring together all the taxi operators.

All Goa Taxi Association president Chetan Kamat said that while the taximen were willing to accept digitisation, they remained opposed to the “app-based” system. “No major decision has been taken so far. We asked for GoaMiles and the Goa Taxi app to be scrapped, and then we can discuss the other issues. We will not join an app,” he said.

Govt insists that the proposed policy will benefit both taxi operators and tourists by ensuring transparency, safety and job security.

“If they come on one platform, all these issues will be resolved. On the digital app, all their services are taken care of. They don’t need to come for renewal, and govt will take care of them,” said Sawant.

Transport minister Mauvin Godinho and tourism minister Rohan Khaunte were also present for the meeting.

“The idea is to have a digital platform with a uniform rate. There would be data that would be collected. This is a draft, and if any improvements need to be made in the policy, we will see. But all the taxi operators have to realise that they have to come on a digital platform because it is in their own interest,” said Godinho.

He said that govt will not force the taxi operators to adopt a system. “We do not mind if it gets delayed,” said Godinho.

Khaunte appeared to hint at an urgency to get the taxi conundrum resolved. “On social media, we heard what is being said about Goa, and if we want to stop this, then we need the support of the taxi operators. Our effort is to bring a digital platform for the taxi operators with one fixed rate. We will come out with more clarity,” said the tourism minister.

Govt asked all the taxi unions to submit their concerns, demands, grievances, and suggestions in writing to the four-member committee on Monday, after which a report will be submitted to govt for further action.