Goemkapronn desk
PANAJI: The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa said it supports & applauds Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho for his strong stance on the taxi issue in Goa and said he must continue.
“He has the support of the TTAG on this matter,” said the association in a press communique issued here.
TTAG said the Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant has said this issue will be resolved before the culmination of this assembly session.
“We strongly urge the chief minister & the government to allow all app-based taxi services in Goa. The government has spoken about ease of doing business. In order for this to happen, we need options for taxi services as well so that there is ease of transport in this digital age,” TTAG stated.
The current taxis can start their own apps or join existing apps like Goa Miles & Goa Taxi App which are doing well & providing revenue to the state & also providing good & affordable services to customers, be it local or tourist, TTAG said.
“The customer should have options to choose what he wants, like how customers have options to choose an airline, a hotel, an activity, a restaurant etc. Supply & demand determines pricing,” TTAG states.
The Government should not succumb to the pressure tactics & threats of taxis as it sets a bad precedence – tomorrow hotels will start saying that no more hotels should be allowed in Goa & rates should be fixed, & then other verticals will follow suit. Then what will happen to tourism? TTAG asked.
The association said the matter has gone on long enough. The current government is a double-engine government with its 3rd term in power at the centre.
Steps have to be taken to resolve & put this matter to bed once & for all.
“Affordable app-based & online services are the need of the hour & the future. TTAG also urges all hotels & tourism establishments to cooperate with all taxis equally – taxi stands & app-based taxis. These establishments should not succumb to pressure tactics & inconvenience guests who are visiting/staying in their establishments. There has been a rise of such cases recently which is once again giving Goa a bad name,” it said.
TTAG says “We urge the government & the police to take action against those elements that threaten anyone & take the law into their own hands.”
Public transport to all areas has to be improved drastically as well to ensure affordable last-mile connectivity, it stated.
“We urge the CM to tell MLAs not to succumb to pressure tactics & vote bank politics which leads them to make careless statements which puts Goa in a bad light. We are in the digital age with all services going online, and so should the taxis,” TTAG said.
