Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Traditional taxi operators in Goa are pushing back against the rapid expansion of app-based ride services, calling on the state government to introduce stricter controls to protect their earnings and cultural identity.
They argue that these digital platforms are eroding their business by offering rides at significantly cheaper rates—reportedly up to 30% lower than government-approved tariffs.
Taxi associations also point to infrastructure challenges, particularly in areas with unreliable mobile connectivity, which they say make app-based models impractical in many parts of the state. They further claim that successive governments have sidelined them in key policy decisions, allowing aggregator platforms to gain ground without proper stakeholder consultation.
In response to the growing unrest, the state government has released a draft framework aimed at regulating ride-hailing services. The proposed policy seeks to introduce uniform fare systems and promote digital integration across the sector.
At present, Goa Miles, a government-supported app-based taxi service, accounts for roughly 13.5% of Goa’s total taxi fleet. Though the service has been promoted as a step toward modernising transportation, it continues to face resistance from long-standing taxi unions.
