PANAJI: In a bid to end the vexatious taxi issue in the state and meet the long-pending demand of tourists and Goans, the Goa government on Monday launched a mobile taxi app—the first state government to do so—and hoped it would put an end to the perennial commuting problem that has been the bane of the sunshine state.“Today, taxi business does not realise its full potential. The requirement of taxis will increase two to three times. People will even stop using their cars as taxis would be easily available. The taxis will charge government approved rates,” chief minister Manohar Parrikar said after launching the app “The taxi owners’ income will multiple two to three times and with this app, cheating of customers is ruled out,” he said.Goa’s taxis have been infamous for running without meters, overcharging customers and harassing tourists. By putting an app on the mobile—GOAMILES that is available for download from Google Play Store and Apple store—Parrikar said it would make the journey affordable and comfortable.Within an hour of the launch, 120 taxi bookings were made through the app for the 350 taxis that have been registered with GTDC, while the passenger base had already touched 6,000 users even before the launch.A taxi owner did not have to pay anything and GTDC’s charges would be recovered from the consumer. GTDC will charge the consumer around Rs 20-80 as service fee.Tourism minister Manohar Azgaonkar said the app will provide security to customers.Customers will get honest service and will get to know the fare before the journey starts. The taxi will reach the doorstep of the customer,” tourism minister Manohar Azgaonkar said, adding there is a panic-cumemergency button available on the app.All was not well at the launch itself where 25 taxi operators, who were supposed to be partnering with the government, said they did not intend to operate through the mobile app.“We will not go against the Goenkar and we will not operate through the app. We came here to register ourselves with GTDC so that we can operate from the airport counter,” Mormugao tourist taxi union member Sarvesh Chowgule told TOI.Azgaonkar agreed there would be “some trouble”, but said the government “will face it” and “we will bring in some discipline”.He also dispelled the fears of the taxi operators. “We have not introduced this app to challenge someone but to provide better service. We want everyone to join the service to do good business. We want Goan taxi business to get good reputation,” he said.“We have instructed the taxi drivers that they should not harass the customers, to wear uniform and told them not to drink and drive. If people have a grievance against a taxi driver, they can complain through the app and strict action will be taken,” he said.GTDC chairman Nilesh Cabral said around 3,000 taxi operators had approached the department, but they have registered only 350 taxis. “This is a new launch and it will take time,” he said.“This is the future. This has been done for the taxi owners. There are around 25,000 taxis registered in the state,” he said.GOAMILES is managed by a local Goan company that was created as a special purpose vehicle as per the requirements of the tendering process. Overcharging of taxi fares by operators has been among the biggest complaints by both Indian and foreign tourists in Goa. It has also given the business a bad image.

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