MARGAO: Addressing the ongoing taxi issue which has sparked intense debate in the monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly, The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) in a statement to the media on Thursday, has called upon the government to permit all app-based taxi services in Goa by enhancing the ease of doing business and provide diverse transportation options in today’s digital era.
Supporting Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho’s firm stance on the issue, the association has urged him to persist in his efforts.
In a statement, TTAG president Jack Sukhija highlighted the association’s backing for Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s commitment to resolve the taxi issue before the assembly session concludes.
“The government has emphasised ease of doing business, and for this to be realised, we need a variety of taxi services to ensure ease of transport,” Sukhija said and pointed out that existing taxis could develop their own apps or join successful platforms like GoaMiles and Goa Taxi App, which have been generating revenue for the State, while offering affordable services to locals and tourists.
TTAG insisted that consumers should have the freedom to choose their preferred taxi service, much like they select airlines, hotels, activities and restaurants, with supply and demand determining pricing.
The association cautioned against the government yielding to pressure and threats from taxi operators, warning that such a precedent could lead other sectors, such as hotels, to demand restrictive measures, ultimately harming Goa’s tourism industry.
“The issue has dragged on for too long,” Sukhija emphasised and called for decisive action from the government. He argued that affordable app-based and online services are essential for the present and future, urging a resolution to the longstanding issue.
The TTAG also appealed to all hotels and tourism establishments to cooperate with both traditional and app-based taxi services, ensuring that guests are not inconvenienced. Sukhija mentioned about the increase in incidents where guests have faced difficulties due to conflicts between different taxi services, damaging Goa’s reputation.
The Association has urged the government and police to take action against those who resort to threats and unlawful behaviour.
It emphasised the need for substantial improvements in public transportation to guarantee affordable last-mile connectivity across all areas.
The TTAG has also appealed to the Chief Minister to ensure that MLAs resist pressure tactics and vote bank politics, which can lead to reckless statements that negatively impact Goa’s image.