App-Based Taxis Could Soon Hit The Goan Roads, Local Taxi Unions Not Pleased

The Goa government has now introduced an all-new ‘Goa Transport Aggregator Guidelines 2025′. It aims to regulate its transport landscape by allowing app-based taxis like Uber, Ola, and bike operators in Goa. However, this move has been met with resistance from the state’s taxi unions. Read on to know more about what’s going on in the state. 

What Are The New Taxi Guidelines In Goa?

According to the draft, the ‘Goa Transport Aggregator Guidelines 2025’ proposes a regulatory framework for app-based cab and bike operators in the state, which will include licensing fees, tariffs, and incentives. This comes in the wake of tourists in the state complaining about high fares charged by privately-owned taxis, even for short distances. The Goan government had to step in with these guidelines to curb such practices, according to a report published by The Indian Express. The introduction of app-based taxi services like Ola and Uber in Goa will allow tourists to pay a government-set fare. In addition to that, these draft guidelines, published in the Official Gazette on May 20, also state that:

• The aggregator is allowed to only board drivers with a private service vehicle badge to prevent malpractitioners.
• The aggregator must ensure health insurance of at least ₹10 lakhs with 2025–26 as the base year, with an increment of 5% every year.
• Health insurance for female drivers is liable to extend to their parents and children.
• The aggregator shall also guarantee that the owner receives the fare as stated by the government for every journey, without deductions.
• Aggregators will be incentivised, including a 100% waiver of the renewal fee, if 20% of journeys are completed by female drivers. The yearly insurance will also be reimbursed fully once a female driver’s vehicle completes 500 trips through the app in a year.
• Violation of these guidelines can result in a penalty of ₹50 lakh. A violation of fare regulations may lead to a fine of ₹5 lakh.

Also Read: 12 Airbnbs In Goa Perfect For A Relaxing Stay Amid Nature

Tourists Are All For App-Based Taxis In Goa

According to tourists, the introduction of app-based taxis in a tourist hotspot like Goa is a powerful move. It not only promotes fair pricing and transparency but also prevents the powerful taxi unions from overcharging. This is an issue many tourists have been facing for years.

Resistance From Traditional Taxi Drivers

This move was met with strong resistance from traditional taxi drivers in Goa. They opposed it and threatened to protest on the streets. According to the Indian Express reports, local drivers are concerned that introducing app-based taxis in Goa could disrupt their livelihoods. It could also open the door for outsiders to work as drivers in Goa through app-based platforms. This could lead to job losses among local taxi drivers running businesses in the state for decades. They believe that only locals should be allowed to operate taxi services.

Also Read: Mumbai: 28,000+ Auto And Taxi Drivers Face Licence Suspension For Denying Short Rides

Commenting on this, Sunil Naik, President of the North and South Goa Taxi Owners Association, told The Indian Express that, “These guidelines are not acceptable to us. They are not properly defined and create a perception that people from across the country will come here and start operating taxis”. On the other hand,  a spokesperson for Uber told The Indian Express, “We believe tourists as much as locals in Goa deserve more mobility choices, and there is already strong existing demand for reliable ride options in the state. This regulatory update makes it possible for platforms like Uber to serve that demand more effectively and responsibly.”

For those who don’t know, the Goa Tourism Development Corporation launched a government-backed taxi app service, GoaMiles, in 2018. This initiative was also met by equal resistance from the Goan taxi unions. 

The draft guidelines are open for consideration for 30 days from the date of publication. We will have to wait and see how these new guidelines shape the tourism and transport landscape in Goa.

Cover Image Courtesy: Flickr/JoeGoaUk