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Business Standard
15-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
1 in 3 Goa taxis now local app-based as state bars outside aggregators
Nearly one out of three taxis operating in Goa are enrolled on the local app-based platforms in the coastal state, with most of them catering to tourists, official data shows. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's recent announcement that his government will not allow cab aggregators from outside Goa has raised hopes for the local app-based mobility platforms, which have been in the market for some time now. As per government figures, out of the total 12,000 tourist taxis operating in the state, 5,000 are on board the app-based platforms, mostly with two companies -- Goa Miles and Goa Taxi App. The Goa Miles alone has a fleet of 4,000-odd taxis on board. Allaying the apprehensions raised by local tourist taxi drivers over the Goa Transport Aggregators Guidelines 2025, CM Sawant on Friday said cab aggregators from outside will not be allowed in the state. The draft guidelines were issued on May 20. The last date to give suggestions and raise objections is June 30. Goa Miles Chief Executive Officer Utkarsh Dabhade told PTI that their service, which is affiliated to the Goa Tourism Development Corporation, was introduced seven years ago. "Since the introduction of the app-based service, we have been receiving good response from tourists and locals alike," he said. On an average, the Goa Miles fleet transports 15,000 passengers daily, of whom 85 per cent are tourists and 15 per cent local travellers, Dabhade said. He said their services are available across the state, majorly at both the airports - Manohar International Airport at Mopa (in North Goa) and the international airport at Dabolim (South Goa). The service has been completely a Goan brand with 100 per cent of the staff, including taxi owners, from the state, he said. The state-run Goa Taxi App has been active for the last two years with more than 1,000 taxis on board the platform. The service, having been introduced by the state government, is completely tourist-friendly with regards to rates and other facilities, a senior Goa Taxi App official said. It would be beneficial for all the tourist taxi owners to get onboard the app-based service to get better business and also other facilities, he added.
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
App-based platforms power one-third of Goa's taxi fleet
Nearly one out of three taxis operating in Goa are enrolled on the local app-based platforms in the coastal state, with most of them catering to tourists, official data shows. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's recent announcement that his government will not allow cab aggregators from outside Goa has raised hopes for the local app-based mobility platforms, which have been in the market for some time now. As per government figures, out of the total 12,000 tourist taxis operating in the state, 5,000 are on board the app-based platforms, mostly with two companies -- Goa Miles and Goa Taxi App . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cardiólogo: ¿Demasiada grasa abdominal? Haz esto cada mañana Lulutox Undo The Goa Miles alone has a fleet of 4,000-odd taxis on board. Allaying the apprehensions raised by local tourist taxi drivers over the Goa Transport Aggregators Guidelines 2025, CM Sawant on Friday said cab aggregators from outside will not be allowed in the state. Live Events The draft guidelines were issued on May 20. The last date to give suggestions and raise objections is June 30. Goa Miles Chief Executive Officer Utkarsh Dabhade told PTI that their service, which is affiliated to the Goa Tourism Development Corporation, was introduced seven years ago. "Since the introduction of the app-based service, we have been receiving good response from tourists and locals alike," he said. On an average, the Goa Miles fleet transports 15,000 passengers daily, of whom 85 per cent are tourists and 15 per cent local travellers, Dabhade said. He said their services are available across the state, majorly at both the airports - Manohar International Airport at Mopa (in North Goa) and the international airport at Dabolim (South Goa). The service has been completely a Goan brand with 100 per cent of the staff, including taxi owners, from the state, he said. The state-run Goa Taxi App has been active for the last two years with more than 1,000 taxis on board the platform. The service, having been introduced by the state government, is completely tourist-friendly with regards to rates and other facilities, a senior Goa Taxi App official said. It would be beneficial for all the tourist taxi owners to get onboard the app-based service to get better business and also other facilities, he added.
Mint
15-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
App-based platforms power one-third of Goas taxi fleet
Panaji, Jun 15 (PTI) Nearly one out of three taxis operating in Goa are enrolled on the local app-based platforms in the coastal state, with most of them catering to tourists, official data shows. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's recent announcement that his government will not allow cab aggregators from outside Goa has raised hopes for the local app-based mobility platforms, which have been in the market for some time now. As per government figures, out of the total 12,000 tourist taxis operating in the state, 5,000 are on board the app-based platforms, mostly with two companies -- Goa Miles and Goa Taxi App. The Goa Miles alone has a fleet of 4,000-odd taxis on board. Allaying the apprehensions raised by local tourist taxi drivers over the Goa Transport Aggregators Guidelines 2025, CM Sawant on Friday said cab aggregators from outside will not be allowed in the state. The draft guidelines were issued on May 20. The last date to give suggestions and raise objections is June 30. Goa Miles Chief Executive Officer Utkarsh Dabhade told PTI that their service, which is affiliated to the Goa Tourism Development Corporation, was introduced seven years ago. "Since the introduction of the app-based service, we have been receiving good response from tourists and locals alike," he said. On an average, the Goa Miles fleet transports 15,000 passengers daily, of whom 85 per cent are tourists and 15 per cent local travellers, Dabhade said. He said their services are available across the state, majorly at both the airports - Manohar International Airport at Mopa (in North Goa) and the international airport at Dabolim (South Goa). The service has been completely a Goan brand with 100 per cent of the staff, including taxi owners, from the state, he said. The state-run Goa Taxi App has been active for the last two years with more than 1,000 taxis on board the platform. The service, having been introduced by the state government, is completely tourist-friendly with regards to rates and other facilities, a senior Goa Taxi App official said. It would be beneficial for all the tourist taxi owners to get onboard the app-based service to get better business and also other facilities, he added.
News18
14-06-2025
- Business
- News18
Goa's Aggregator Cab Guidelines Will Not Bring In Firms Like Ola, Uber: CM To Local Taxi Operators
Goa currently has two local aggregators - Goa Miles and Goa Taxi, which provide app-based service to customers. Goa's draft guidelines for cab aggregators will not open doors for companies like Ola and Uber, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Friday. BJP MLAs Michael Lobo from Calangute and Jit Arolkar from Mandrem met him in the presence of taxi operators to discuss concerns of the trade with regards to the Goa Transport Aggregators Guidelines 2025 issued on May 20. The last date to give suggestions and raise objections is June 30. 'Taxi operators need not be in any sort of confusion. They have apprehensions that the guidelines will open doors for the aggregators like Ola and Uber which are operating outside Goa. The guidelines do not aim to open flood gates for national cab aggregators like Ola and Uber," Sawant told reporters after the meeting. Goa currently has two local aggregators – Goa Miles and Goa Taxi, which provide app-based service to customers. The taxi operators in Goa want the state government to take them into confidence before finalising the guidelines as they believe big firms from outside the state may start aggregator cab businesses here, Arolkar said. Lobo, meanwhile, said taxi operators want the government to keep the guidelines in abeyance. 'The issue was discussed with the chief minister who has assured that a meeting of MLAs representing constituencies in the coastal belt and all other stakeholders will be called before taking a final decision on the guidelines," Lobo said. First Published: June 14, 2025, 15:34 IST
India Today
09-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
Why Goa cabbies are up in arms against move to allow app-based taxis
It is one of the most-sought-after destinations for foreign and domestic tourists. But travellers to coastal Goa have long felt impaired by a major constraint—the absence of app-based taxi services, such as Ola and Uber, regulated fares or digital has invited accusations of a 'taxi mafia' charging steep and arbitrary rates. While local taxi unions strongly refute the allegations, travellers' predicament, when combined with the rising accommodation costs, has led to concerns over whether Goa can retain its status as a tourist magnet. Locals too have to face constraints due to high taxi fares and a weak public transport the state did introduce government-backed app-based services, such as Goa Miles (2018) and Goa Taxi (2023), their services may be limited. Goa has 16,675 yellow-black colour-coded taxis and tourist public transport scene, though, may change for the better soon as the government is planning to allow app-based cabs to operate. The 'Goa Transport Aggregator Guidelines, 2025' lay down draft rules for operating these services, grievance redress, enforcement and penalties. The draft guidelines state that the aggregators should onboard only those drivers who have a valid private service vehicle (PSV) badge. They will also 'not prevent or disincentivise the driver to onboard with multiple aggregators'. The aggregators will ensure a health insurance cover for the drivers of no less than Rs 10 lakh, with 2025-26 as the base year and an increment of 5 per cent every year. For women drivers, the health insurance shall extend to their parents and draft guidelines have, however, led to protests by taxi operators and drivers. These stakeholders claim it will affect their livelihood and allow entry for operators from outside the state. Michael Lobo, BJP MLA from Calangute in north Goa, has come out in support of the taxi unions, but in line with the government's push, has said that aspects such as market rates for taxis should be Khaunte, the state tourism minister, has urged operators to come out with their own app and offered to help them. 'I do not agree with those who claim they do not want technology,' he Godinho, Goa minister for transport, said talks were on with stakeholders on the guidelines and that taxi drivers would be taken into confidence. 'I can say with conviction that it will help the people of Goa,' he said. While making a case for regulated fares and against overcharging, he said the government was willing to fund taxi operators to launch their own app.A senior tourism department official said app-based cabs would help tourism in Goa. 'Tourists know that the rates charged by local taxis are not justified. While one taxi will charge Rs 1,000 for a certain route, another will quote Rs 1,500. There is no justification for this,' the official explained. 'Cab-hailing apps will ensure some uniformity in pricing, especially as tourists feel Goa is more expensive compared to other destinations.'advertisementP. Pravimal Abhishek, director, transport, Goa government, told INDIA TODAY the move promises to 'unlock a lot of potential in terms of economic value'. 'The idea is that all taxi operations must be digitised and made convenient for locals and tourists,' Abhishek said. He added that the draft guidelines had not been formulated out of the blue—a broad framework was discussed with stakeholders and taxi unions since taxi unions, though, are enraged. Bappa Korgaonkar, a leader of the tourist taxi operators in Goa, claimed app-based taxi services were 'not feasible in Goa' as it was not a metropolitan city. 'Why should we (drivers) pay commissions to apps when we are doing the work?' We have ensured tourism booms in Goa. Ola and Uber drivers may come from outside the state and won't know, for example, which beach in Goa is good,' he said such fears were 'completely unfounded'. The guidelines state that only vehicles with valid permits issued by the State Transport Authority or Regional Transport Authority, and drivers with PSV badges can be onboarded. 'This means local drivers will find more customers and create more business opportunities for themselves,' he said. The platforms must have a registered office or branch office in Goa. This meant no 'outsiders'.advertisementYuri Alemao, leader of the Opposition in the legislative assembly, criticised the move. 'Goa's taxi operators are known for providing the best hospitality and a safe environment for customers. Our taxi drivers have become ambassadors of tourism. However, there is risk that these aggregators might bring in drivers from other states, which could tarnish the image of Goa,' he said.'The BJP government's priority seems to be to accumulate commissions, and introducing aggregators might be a new venture for them to make money. This will only add to unemployment, an issue this government has failed to address. Aggregators will likely finish off the traditional business of Goa, benefiting only private players. It is strange that the government has no control over air tickets and hotel prices, which are inflated, but wants to control only tourist taxi rates,' he 2023, Goa had 8.1 million domestic and 453,000 foreign tourists visiting it. In 2024, Goa welcomed a higher 9.94 million domestic tourists and around 468,000 international tourists. 'The state has witnessed a notable 21 per cent growth in tourism, which promises a very positive trend for tourism in Goa. While domestic tourist footfall increased by 22 per cent, foreign tourist footfall increased by 3 per cent. These statistics unmistakably indicate a robust growth in Goa's tourism sector, reaffirming its position as a most preferred tourist destination,' said the Economic Survey of Goa for department of tourism has said that tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2025 have grown by 10.5 per cent year on year as compared to the same period in 2024. The first three months of this year have seen 2.85 million visitors come to Goa, up from 2.58 million in the first quarter of to India Today MagazineTrending Reel
