By opposing app-based taxi services by KTC, the taxi operators have made it unabashedly clear that they will oppose all interferences in their business. Café speaks to a few locals and gets their take on the issue

This is not the first time we are raising this issue. And this is certainly not the first time that the taxi mafia has raised its ugly head. In what can easily qualify as one of the long-standing issues plaguing the tourism industry and its direct beneficiary – the hospitality industry, the taxi issue has come to the fore yet again, courtesy a fresh ‘warning’ by members of the taxi mafia threatening to “paralyse” Goa, if Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC) starts its app-based taxi service. Albeit in bad taste, if the tourists creating nuisance in Goa are called “scum of the earth”, members of the taxi mafia have inflicted enough damage to the state to be worthy of a similar title.

Let’s make no mistake. Much below the superficial grudge of the taxi drivers with the government on installation of speed governors or digital meters, the underlying issue is about absolute brazenness to defy regulations. The taxi owners and operators for long have enjoyed a run of being absolutely unfettered and have objected to any and all forms of initiatives that would bring some sort of discipline into the public transport system. Speaking about the unfair business practices of the taxi operators, a restaurateur based out of Baga, on condition of anonymity out of sheer unwillingness to ‘get on the wrong side’ of the local MLA, says, “Once I had called a taxi from my restaurant in Baga to Club Cabana and the taxi guy charged me Rs 800. This is not done. So many friends of mine have stopped coming, complaining of unfair treatment. The moment Ola and Uber step in, it will also solve traffic problems. The tourists don’t want to drive in Goa; they’ll be happier to be driven around where they can enjoy. But the current taxi system leaves them with no option but to drive down.”

Those who have faced the inconvenience caused by the taxi operators in Goa, and by that we mean everyone, opine that Goa needs to have a governing body for taxis, like any other tourist destination in the world. Raj Fernandes, an entrepreneur based out of South Goa, says, “A majority of the taxi drivers/owners have second jobs so why are they opposing a fair system? Why do they choose to loot the public? They argue that they don't make enough in a day to cover expenses, but had there been a fair ticketing system, wouldn't the public be more keen towards taking taxis? In conversation with a cab driver in Bangalore, I learned that they actually make a larger profit working for Ola than they would by working independently.”

The issue is simple and the solution is no rocket science. Sapna Shahani, a PR professional who travels extensively within and outside the country, says, “It’s about time we resolve the taxi drivers’ reservations against installing meters, app-based systems and competition from the likes of Uber and Ola once and for all. I don’t know whether the government has researched other domestic and international tourist destination economies and educated the taxi drivers about how their head-in-the-sand mentality is devastating tourism in Goa. During the recent taxi strike, I had to lend my car to foreign visitor friends who had a young daughter. Without transport, it’s not even feasible to get food, let alone go sightseeing in Goa. They were promised a rental car but then later refused because of the strike.”

Leon de Souza, a Goan music artiste, who often shuttles between Mumbai and Goa, acknowledges that before implementing any policies, the well-being of the local taxi drivers needs to be taken into account. Leon says, “A system that is uniform and universal for all would go a long way in doing good. Sometimes when systems are unregulated, it leaves plenty of scope for corruption and other evils. Through my travels to international destinations including Bali, Bangkok, Sri Lanka and a host of other coastal holiday destinations, I can say that the local governments have made travel simple and convenient by keeping easily accessible transport options, including apps that facilitate travel. I'm not sure if Goa is ready for app based travel, since the roads are not equipped for too many vehicles, regulating the local taxi would be a good solution.”

So many times traffic jams are caused due to taxi drivers. They cut queues, overtake from the left. Almost always, if there's a demeanour on the road, it's a taxi driver involved. They take advantage of their ‘unions’ and gang up against tourists - the very source of their income. Why isn't our government doing anything about it?

RAJ FERNANDES, entrepreneur

The taxi communities are still very unregulated with many charging huge amounts of money for very short trips. Sometimes you spend a lot more than the flight fare it would take you to reach Goa. If taxis were to be regulated by the state government that would abide by the meter system followed in cities like Mumbai, these concerns would be addressed well. It is also a great point to note that not all Goan households own cars and relying on buses or private operators is not always the solution.

LEON DE SOUZA, music artiste

When I travel to other Asian countries on holiday, I often find better value taxis, hotels and food than I do in Goa. The writing is on the wall. Although the official line is that tourist numbers are increasing, we see a sharp decline in restaurant guests, for example. Taxis must be convinced that the proposed changes will benefit them as well as safeguard the Goan tourism industry as a whole. How will they gain from dwindling numbers of tourists? The other trend we hear about is more budget tourists visiting Goa, which means there should be more options for affordable transportation via buses, pilots, rickshaws and car-pools. 

SAPNA SHAHANI,  PR professional

The taxi operators are absolute slackers. They’d much rather fleece one guy in a day and sit idle than make multiple trips by charging their passengers in a fair manner and generate much more income. I don’t understand why the government has to bow down to them despite knowing that the entire state is against them. To please 10,000 of them, the politicians are denying the remaining 13,90,000 people of convenience. The people should identify these opportunistic and conniving politicians and teach them a lesson.

PRAJAKTA NAIR, entrepreneur

I feel that the government should take a firm stand on this issue. They should go ahead with the app based taxi service. Taxi drivers should stop being belligerent and realise that this will be beneficial for them in the long run. If the app based service is started not just tourist but also locals will prefer using taxis. 

MANASI VERENKER, homemaker

• By Kishore Amati [email protected] | 18 Feb, 2018, 03:42AM