The current situation is Government to mediate between Goamiles and Taxi operators today......
The CM has asked them to try GoaMiles for a month but they just want GoaMiles scrapped. Scrapping GoaMiles is not an option and will involve crores of rupees in compensation.
As Goans we want the best and have resubmitted our petition and CM was supportive of app based taxis. Goa needs app based taxis more than any other state as Taxi is the backbone of tourism, without this the Tourism industry has already collapsed. We appreciate the Chief Minister's stand in ensuring their demands are not met.
Here are the considerations:
1. Instead of asking the taxi drivers to try GoaMiles for a month and checking out the benefits, some politicians have told taxi drivers that GoaMiles is illegal and are clearly instigating them. There are other companies which are 100% Goan and some have already started app based taxis, they should join them if this is the issue. There are a number of companies available in India which charge small fee per transaction for making the connection with rider like Kaali Peeli and they can join one of those.
Goykarponn is just an excuse, we know that politicians have thrived on migrant vote bank and kickbacks from outsiders. They have attacked GoaMiles taxi drivers and also tourists. Inspite of declining tourism, there is hardly any punishment for the goons, their taxi license is not suspended. Goondagiri is only possible because of support of some MLAs. In the past Taxi mafia has stormed police stations, threatening the police. There is a Bus mafia asking to scrap the bus passes as their livelihood is affected.
2. There are Politicians, Police, Govt officers who own taxi fleets. Once they join GoaMiles the multiple ownership of taxis will be exposed to people outside the directorate of transport. Citizens for Change team has been asking for the list of taxi owners for last 2 years and was posted in our petition update date 27 May 2017 - Taming the taxi Mafia. Our request has been refused. Complaint to ex CM did not help. Lot of people in the administration seem to have stake in the taxi business and possibly own taxis.
The CM has acknowledged that there are owners with over 50 taxis and also rent-a-car and rent-a-bike. Government should publish list of taxi owners.
Taxi licensing scheme should be distributed over the wider population. The Government has created mafia who earn from these taxis and have amassed enough wealth to control the Government and are also using their network trying to suppress the media. Government should publish list of taxi owners and the multiple taxi ownership should be transferred to the driver to keep Taxi Mafia under control.
3. Taxi drivers receive hefty commissions. For instance if taxi drivers takes a customer to massage parlor the charge is Rs1500 and out of that taxi driver commission is Rs1000, and the business keeps Rs500. The taxi drivers posted on the coastal belt are strictly under the taxi mafia. App based model will give preference to driver close by rather than one loyal to the union. This will kill their commissions.
4. With App based taxis, the utilization and earnings of taxi drivers will be known to the Government. These figures help with Tourism planning as well as tax collection and helps to take management decisions for growth of taxi business in line with tourism demand.
5. Taxi drivers who don't want to join GoaMiles can install Taxi meters as per High Court decisioon. If GoaMiles is scrapped they will say meters are not working and demand loot fare. They can only be straightened out with competition because with app based taxi operating, they cannot charge loot fare..
Here are the benefits of app based taxi:
No need of taxi stands
No need for taxi to wait at taxi stand or circling around the city adding to traffic congestion
No need to drop anyone at taxi stand, saving traffic
Easy fare calculation based on GPS on cell phone
Cashless payment with taxes paid to Govt
Taxi driver utilization / earning figures helps Govt plan taxi business/ Taxi licenses growth in line with demand
Taxis can be shared online saving in fuel / pollution
Taxi driver works on his own time
Taxi can be called from home / hotel
Less number of cars owned by public
Taxi meters are obsolete and expensive, difficult to enforce in Goa due to taxi union goondagiri
App based system provides customer feedback
Tourist taxis illegally occupy parking spots in cities, app based taxis do not have to be parked in cities.
The issue will be discussed Monday and looks like Goa Government will always be busy with the taxi mafia issue.
Grievance with PMO - Narendra Modi
GOVGO/E/2019/00152 dated 29 Jul 2019
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27 Jul 2019 - Taxi operators to agitate if govt fails to scrap GoaMiles
https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Taxi-operators-to-agitate-if-govt-fails-to-scrap-GoaMiles/149286.html
26 Jul 2019 Goa: Unions threaten strike if taxi app service not scrapped
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/goa-unions-threaten-strike-if-taxi-app-service-not-scrapped/articleshow/70400166.cms
25 Jul 2019 Taxi meters hit another hurdle, implementation to get delayed
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/taxi-meters-hit-another-hurdle-implementation-to-get-delayed/articleshow/70370454.cms
24 Jul 2019 Sawant again rules out scrapping of ‘GoaMiles’
http://www.navhindtimes.in/sawant-again-rules-out-scrapping-of-goamiles/
24 Jul 2019 CM convenes meeting to solve GoaMiles dispute
https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/CM-convenes-meeting-to-solve-GoaMiles-dispute/149165.html
24 Jul 2019 Will act against cops involved in drug trade: Goa CM
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/will-act-against-cops-involved-in-drug-trade-cm/articleshow/70353865.cms
23 Jul 2019 In a first, government says may shut GoaMiles
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/in-a-first-govt-says-may-shut-goamiles/articleshow/70353932.cms
21 Jul 2019 ATTACKS ON ‘GOAMILES’ CAUGHT ON CAMERA
https://youtu.be/NwnZsivH9dY
19 Jul 2019 Taxi operators turn to prayer for relief
https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Taxi-operators-turn-to-prayer-for-relief/148932.html
18 Jul 2019 Goa miles is not harming anyone instead is benefiting all: Babu Azgaonkar
https://www.facebook.com/goa365tv/videos/vb.124218901316478/456663338487691/?type=2&theater
15 Jul 2019 GTA asks for taxi apps in the state
http://www.navhindtimes.in/gta-asks-for-taxi-apps-in-the-state/