Video: GoaMiles Passengers Claim Taxi Driver Forced Them To Cancel Rs 300 Ride

Costly transportation has long been a concern in Goa, despite its popularity as a tourist destination. To tackle this issue the Goa Tourism Development Corporation launched GoaMiles in 2018. This application provides rides at government-regulated rates, which are typically lower than the prices quoted independently by cab drivers. Taxi drivers from Goa are enrolled in the app without any charges. However, many drivers who are not affiliated with the app argue that GoaMiles unfairly affects their earnings by offering low-cost services. As a result, GoaMiles users often encounter boycotts and even intimidation from a few taxi drivers.

A video has gone viral showing a group of passengers engaged in a dispute with taxi drivers over the cancellation of a ride booked on GoaMiles. The video was posted by a local news outlet Goa 24×7. As per the video’s caption, the taxi drivers stopped the GoaMiles cab and asked the passengers to cancel the ride, which was worth Rs 300. They asked the passengers to take another taxi for Rs 1,000. One of the passengers questioned the authority of taxi drivers who were challenging their right to choose the transportation of their choice. She also added that she can’t afford expensive cabs.

This clip has over 4.8 lakh views since it was posted on April 5. In the comments, many people shared similar instances with the “local taxi mafia” in Goa. An X user wrote, “Have recently been to Goa & only half the time we were lucky to book GoaMiles.. and always their driver was scared to come direct to the location because of the local taxi drivers! GoaMiles should be backed up with security by the govt. It’s a great service hope it survives.”

Sharing a similar experience, another person wrote, “I took a cab from South Goa to Airport. Goamiles charged me around 600 and the local cab was asking for 1200. Goamiles driver asked us to walk 100 metres so that the local taxi drivers do not make any nuisance. Customer Exploitation should stop by local taxi drivers.”

An X user recalled how their GoaMiles drivers had to speed up the car to escape “local taxi goons” and wrote, “Happened to us too. The Goa Miles driver accelerated to escape the local taxi goons. It felt like we are in a proper race. If the problem is so prevalent & out in open why is Goa CM, Goa Police, and Goa Tourism not taking any action? It’s a pathetic experience for tourists.”

Many people argue that if this continues, then tourists will move to other holiday destinations. An X user wrote, “Goa Taxi mafia is reason I stopped visiting Goa for year-end, just few thousand more and Visa free Thailand offers spectacular Andaman seas from places like Krabi with a reasonable hotel, food and local travel prices.”

Have you ever incurred additional expenses for transportation while travelling in Goa?