Goa Diary 2023. 3 - Dwindled Public Transport

Goa Diary-3    Dwindling Public Transport System 

Goa is still a nature’s bounty  to India despite of recent unplanned growth of tourism infrastructure. What really spoil the mood of a tourist like me the complete absence of an efficient public transport infrastructure. Chances are that you will come across a very arrogant cab driver who demands six seven time inflated fare. I asked in my recent visit a auto wala in Panaji at Patto for a ride up to Mahalakshmi Temple which is hardly three km and he demanded flat Rs 400 and no bargain.  

Similarly, from Panaji to Calangute beach on South side a taxi ride costed me Rs700 while the distance is only 15 km. 

Goa is not only a domestic tourist destination but also attracts people from far away countries. Still Goa lacks regulated taxi fares mechanism. When the Government earns a lot of revenue from tourism every year, its basic job is to create tourist friendly , dependable and trustworthy public transport system. Government has failed to create a reliable public transport system and the tourists are left at the merci of private operators. Goa  is perhaps one of the very few international tourist destinations that don’t have a regulated system and does not offer choice to the customers regarding modes of transport.

Ola, Uber tried to start their operations here in Goa but the local private operators did not allow their operations, created all kind of hindrances, vandalized some of the vehicles under flagship of these App and ultimately both Ola as well as Uber retreated and withdrawn their operations. Recently a Local App Goa Miles ihas come into the operation , it is working with a limited fleet and its services are also under constant threat from the private cab operators whose rates rise higher and higher during peak season. They fail to understand that the goose that lays the golden eggs, will get killed and nobody will benefit from it – be it the tour operators, taxi operators or the cruise operators.

I will like to to share two shocking incidents which shows arrogance and high-handedness of cab operators. International cruise ship ‘Ocean Odyssey’ arrived at the Mormugao Port few months back arrived at the Mormugao Port , 100 foreign tourists onboard were forced to go back to their ship without even going for their pre-booked sight-seeing trip in Goa as the local taxi union members obstructed the buses that was supposed to take them on their tour.

Not only did this incident leave all the tourists extremely frustrated and angry over what had transpired, the cruise ship is also considering not visiting Goa again. The incident casted a shadow  and had very serious repercussions for the cruise tourism industry in Goa. Another incident I heard during my interaction with my local friends. Few foreign tourists were on way to airport and the cab driver stopped in between and said them that rates are revised and if they will not pay that extra amount he threatened to drop them on road side. 

A better option to enjoy Goa is to travel in your own vehicle from your place and use your own vehicle for local travel. But it is not possible for those you travel from Bengal, Bihar or Uttar Pradesh because traveling such a long distance will be time consuming. 

Of course, for younger tourists rented scooter or motorcycle is definitely a better option in terms of affordability and flexibility to move anywhere any time. But those who are on a family trip or aged , they can not avail this adventure and ease to enjoy is a distant dream.