First scrap Goa Miles, then meters, say Taxi owners; govt says no

Taxi operators want the app based taxi aggregator Goa Miles scrapped and say that only then will they fix meters. They have been on strike for some days now demanding this. However, the government says that this condition throwing of the taxi owners will not work as everybody has to follow the law.

A meeting has been fixed between government and taxi operators where their grievances will be settled, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho said on Wednesday.  Mauvin said that the Goa Miles versus Taxi owners issue will be solved once taxi counters at Dabolim airport come under the transport department. As of now they are with the tourism department and the transfer has been stuck due to interdepartmental issues, he said.

Taxi operators are off the road for the last 9 days demanding that the app based taxi Goa Miles be scrapped and no other taxi aggregators be allowed. On Wednesday, taxi owners brought their families into the strike. 

Mauvin said that the government will fix meters for free and would also review the rates for meters. Taxi operators are in contempt of the high court order by not fixing meters, he said alleging that their agitation is politically motivated.  Mauvin also warned that strictly action will be taken  if taxi operators create law and order problems.