This was the most eventful week on the Taxi issue with new developments: Mr. Raghu Shetiye has started "TAXIGO" service in Panaji which will be more affordable than current exorbitant fares and help break the mafia by having local taxi drivers join his service. He has already started receiving threats and everyone must help for success of this venture. www.taxigo.co.in Based on response from Panaji this service will be expanded. Manohar Parrikar has promised to solve taxi issue by December, that public opinion to allow cab aggregators in Goa has also been a long pending demand by State's population. Already 5 months have passed since the petition. Earlier we had filed grievances on 12th Sep with Prime Minister Modi and that may have forced Goa Government to act as we received letter from Director of Transport that "the file is under submission to Govt". The high court case of TTAG is this week. We are also looking into High Court case by "Suo Moto Cognizance" and keep up the fight so that consumer has the right to get the best price with open competition. There is an article by Vito Gomes that "Currently the taxis are controlled by our esteemed MLA's who buy licenses from the RTO. They control the quota which is shared between Ministers and MLAs". GTDC chairman Nilesh Cabral is doing the good work of bringing in app based taxis - "The concept will help upgrading the taxis through latest technology, shed its bad image and guarantee drivers' income. I have assured that taxi operators will not be charged a single rupee for implementing the service. We are only outsourcing the structure, software/hardware whereas GTDC will monitor it,”. But the question is - will the existing taxi drivers agree to any system that prevents looting ? Impossible. Tourism Minister Manohar Azgaonkar, however, has asked the taxi drivers to install digital meters. He and Sudin Dhavlikar from Maharastrawadi Gomantak party are in favor of the "Obsolete" taxi meters and this will surely be a doom for Goa's tourism. Calangute MLA Michael Lobo has said "If it is going to help tourism, then why not implement the system". Taxi Association has agreed to install meters but under conditions which should never be acceptable for future of Goa. Besides, they can turn them off with single message. TTAG President Savio Messias said "The taxi operators have not understood the advantage and benefits arising out of the app-based taxis. If they had an app they would earn a proper fare going back. The government needs to educate them on the advantages,” SOURCES: 30 Sep 2017 Taxi Go Services now in Goa https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtHv2PQwgC0 28 Sep 2017 CM Promises to solve Taxi issue by December http://englishnews.thegoan.net/story.php?id=37143 28 Sep 2017 CM: Speed governors not optional for taxis http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/cm-speed-governors-not-optional-for-taxis/articleshow/60862266.cms 27 Sep 2017 No negotiation on speed governors, helmets, it is the law CM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3MxCYnC25A 27 Sep 2017 Taxi operators agree to meter installation http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/taxi-operators-agree-to-meter-installation/articleshow/60848134.cms 27 Sep 2017 Tourist taxi operators question govt on cost of speed governor in state http://www.navhindtimes.in/tourist-taxi-operators-question-govt-on-cost-of-speed-governor-in-state/ 27 Sep 2017 Tourist taxies owners angry at exclusion in planning https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Tourist-taxies-owners-angry-at-exclusion-in-planning-/120617.html 27 Sep 2017 GOA GOVT INTENDS TO BRING UBER, OLA IN THE STATE https://youtu.be/uRFv6Q75NuE 27 Sep 2017 Solving taxi issue? CM’s promise may be unfulfilled http://englishnews.thegoan.net/story.php?id=37121 25 Sep 2017 Taxis in Goa http://epaper.heraldgoa.in/imageview_1405_25920173310889_4_71_25-09-2017_i_1_sf.html 25 Sep 2017 GTDC says pehle taxi APP despite tourism dept’s oppn https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/GTDC-says-pehle-taxi-APP-despite-tourism-dept%E2%80%99s-oppn-/120554.html 24 Sep 2017 Are taxi meters and app-based taxis in Goa, a mere hope or signs of reality? https://www.heraldgoa.in/Edit/Fly-on-the-wall-/Are-taxi-meters-and-appbased-taxis-in-Goa-a-mere-hope-or-signs-of-reality/120517.html?platform=hootsuite 24 Sep 2017 The ‘NO’ cry from the taxi lobby gets shriller https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/The-‘NO’-cry-from-the-taxi-lobby-gets-shriller/120515.html