Expressing concern about the draft transport guidelines, the traditional taxi operators of Goa said on Friday that cab aggregators like Ola and Uber would not come to the state and all stakeholders would be taken into confidence before “resolving the issue”.
Talking to the media after a meeting with Mandrame MLA Jit Arolkar and Calangut MLA Michael Lobo, Sawant said, “On the taxi issue, GIT and Michael and others came to meet me. Mlas – will be taken into confidence.
Last month, the Government of Goa underlined the Draft Guidelines-Goa Transport Agriculture Guidelines, 2025-app-based taxi and a regulatory framework for bike taxi operators, including licensing fees, tariffs and incentives, APP-based transport aggregators. Taxi unions across the state have threatened to stage protests, stating that the step will pave the way for the entry of private app-based taxi aggregators and endanger their livelihood.
The Transport Department has sought suggestions and objections before informing the guidelines. Last Monday, hundreds of taxi operators queued outside the Transport Department office in Panaji and presented their written objections for the draft guidelines.
Mandrame MLA Jeet Arolkar said that taxi operators are afraid that if private app-based aggregators enter the state, their businesses will be closed. “We had a meeting with the Chief Minister to discuss these concerns. A delegation of taxi operators was also present. The Chief Minister has assured that app-based agangers will not be allowed from outside the state. But at the same time, the system should be strengthened and digitized and need to be equal for all,” said Arolkar.
Calangut’s BJP MLA Michael Lobo said that taxi operators have demanded that these draft guidelines be kept in an abuse. “It is assured that an MLA meeting from constituencies in the coastal belt and all other stakeholders will be called before taking a final decision on the guidelines,” Lobo said.
(Tagstotransite) Goa (T) Panaji (T) Taxi Service (T) Ola (T) Uber (T) Taxi Operator (T) Transport Guidelines (T) Chief Minister Pramod Sawant (T) Cab Agrar
