GoaMiles is here to stay, join the service for a better tomorrow: Sopte to local taxi operators

GoaMiles is here to stay, join the service for a better tomorrow: Sopte to local taxi operators

Rubbishes all allegations; says GoaMiles is working in the interests of Goem, Goemkar & Goemkarponn, new schemes and benefits for drivers on board GoaMiles soon

Following a high-level meeting chaired by Hon. Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant on Monday to discuss on-going issues related to protests from local taxi operators against the app-based taxi service GoaMiles, Hon’ble Chairman of Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), Mr. Dayanand Sopte said, “The Government of Goa has taken a firm decision to stand by GoaMiles initiative in the interest of tourism in the State and will not buckle down to any sort of pressure from vested interests nor to their demands to stop or scrap the app-based taxi service.”

Mr. Sopte, addressing a press conference in Panjim today, said, “We would urge local taxi operators who have not joined the initiative to sign up on GoaMiles, which is completing a year of successful operations this August, instead of standing on the sidelines protesting against it.”

He said, “Today some taxi operators are levelling baseless allegations against GoaMiles out of sheer ignorance and jealously, as several of their former colleagues are doing extremely well after joining GoaMiles. It seems like this is a disgruntled lot with selfish motives who are only trying to prevent others from doing well.”

Explaining in detail the entire success story of GoaMiles from inception till date, Mr. Sopte pointed out that GoaMiles was conceptualised after GTDC floated a well-slated tender in January 2018, wherein after a tough competitive bidding, the successful bidder selected was an experienced Mumbai-based company.

“This company needs to be applauded for keeping in mind the interests of Goem Goemkar and Goemkarponn and as a part of tender terms, floated a company special purpose vehicle under name of Frotamiles who launched the service in the name and style of GoaMiles for the new app based taxi service,” he said. Enlisting the achievements of GoaMiles in the last one year he said, “On commissioning the service in August 2018, the fleet has steadily risen from 55 vehicles to 1,400 cabs. The app-based taxi service which started in August 2018 with 1,500 trips per month touched around 14,000 trips in December 2018 and in June 2019, has recorded more than 20,000 trips per month. As far as taxes generated, it has paid more than Rs. 7 0 lakh Rupees to the government which was not in existence before. There are approx. 50 Goan youth employed in various positions in GoaMiles.

“Similarly on an average a taxi driver registered with GoaMiles earns around Rs. 3,500 per day without having to lose on commission which other app-based taxi services operating nationally charge,” he said. This figure is much more than what a non GoaMiles driver earns in a day and the earning potential is directly proportional to the hard work put in by the driver.

It was pointed out that GoaMiles is not an ‘outsider’. “Even other app-based taxi services may not have as much local genes as much as GoaMiles has,” Sopte pointed out. He also disclosed that the new app-based taxi service which started operations in Goa has not cost the government anything in terms of investments, technology etc. and that the Goa government has the application service code under its control. He further explained that drivers and taxi owners enlisted on GoaMiles are also locals having the requisite domicile without which they would not have been able to obtain permits to operate their taxis in Goa. In addition, with a floating populace seeking employment, GoaMiles has provided livelihood opportunities to many drivers as is the case with local taxi owners who engage outsiders looking for employment opportunities in Goa. The GTDC Chairman also pointed out that every driver taken on board GoaMiles is subject to police verification and provided training for etiquettes and manners etc. This makes the taxi service more hospitable and is preferred by tourists, visitors, women travelers etc.

The GTDC Chairman also said that around 2,500 rent-a-cab operators who are now legalised and conducting authorised business’ are also invited to join the app-based aggregator GoaMiles and reap huge benefits under this service.

Mr. Sopte today also disclosed that the government through GTDC would be unfolding large number of schemes for drivers attached to GoaMiles like insurance, medical etc.

That loan facilities through EDC for purchase of vehicles by drivers who are on board GoaMiles is also being worked out.

“The Goa government is not going to relent and will not turn back, GoaMiles is here to stay,” he said.

 

Panchayats have no authority to stop App Based Taxi Service in the Village: Goamiles

Panjim, June 1: In a press statement issued today, GTDC’s initiative, Goamiles, the app based taxi service has strongly protested against moves being made by North based village panchayat in Anjuna-Caisua to deem its operations within its jurisdiction as illegal.

This is with reference to the agenda drawn up for an extra ordinary gram sabha to be held on Sunday, 2nd June 2019, by the Anjuna- Caisua Panchayat which is threatening the existence of this taxi business.

Goamiles has strongly advocated its existence supported by the Goa government which it emphasizes is also providing employment to hundreds of taxi owners/drivers from the village.

Goamiles, the app based taxi service is a part of Goa Tourism’s initiative to provide affordable transport services to tourists as well as locals in the Goa, states a press release issued today.

Goamiles has expressed regret that lately lots of people with vested interests are working against this initiative and creating lots of trouble for the taxi owners/drivers who have opted to be a part of the Goamiles service.

According to Mr. Justine Nunes, spokesperson of Goamiles, the app based service operates on three major principles: No Commission from driver’s pocket, No peak hour surcharges to passengers and day time fixed rates to the taxi owners with 35% increase in night charges.

According to the reports, the village panchayat of Anjuna-Caisua has called for an extra ordinary meeting of the gram sabha to pass a resolution against the Goamiles app based taxi service in the state.

Goamiles has strongly criticized this move as against the law and beyond the scope of a village panchayat.

It further points that this move will affect hundreds of families in the village who are connected with the app based service and earning a livelihood to support their families. According to Mr. Nunes, in the writ petition filed by the TTAG (Writ Petition Number 468 of 2005) “The learned Counsel appearing for the Panchayat submits that the Panchayat will not in any manner curb the business of the Petitioners or Respondent No.7 contrary to law and their respective Fundamental Rights as guaranteed under Article 19 of the Constitution of India except for regulating it in the interest of the Panchayat. It is made clear that the Panchayats have no authority to restrict the business carried out by the Petitioners (TTAG) and Respondent No.7 by such Resolution which would create monopoly in favour of either of the parties and thereby deprive the right of the others who are in the business except for regulating their entry and exit in their jurisdiction in larger public interest.”

“The legal terms are clear. Many of the app based taxi owners and drivers are also part of the village panchayat and the resolution passed by the panchayats will adversely affect their interests,” said Mr. Nunes.

“Goamiles is an authorized business initiative drafted and crafted by Goa Tourism Development Corporation. This initiative is mainly in the interest of Goan taxi owners and tourists visiting Goa to have a win-win situation for all stakeholders. We feel this successful concept has been misunderstood by some local taxi owners due to vested interests of few,”

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