New draft of taxi guidelines aims to modernize transport with fairness and transparency for drivers and passengers alike
The Goa Transport Aggregator Guidelines 2025 mark a crucial step toward modernizing and regulating taxi services across the state. Designed to address long-standing issues such as inconsistent fares, lack of driver protections, and limited accessibility, these guidelines seek to integrate app-based taxi services within a clear legal framework. By setting standards for fare regulation, timely payments, driver welfare, and promoting inclusive participation − especially encouraging women drivers and the adoption of electric vehicles − the policy aims to balance the interests of passengers, local taxi operators, and app-based service providers. Open to public consultation for 30 days, the draft invites community input to ensure the new transport ecosystem reflects the diverse needs of Goa’s residents and visitors alike.
Draft Guidelines for Regulation of Aggregator App-Based Transport Services
The Goa Transport Aggregator Guidelines (Draft), 2025, introduced by the Directorate of Transport, aim to regulate app-based taxi services in the state to ensure improved service quality, fair pricing, and greater accountability. These guidelines have been formulated in response to recurring complaints from tourists and locals about poor service standards, inflated fares, and the frequent failure of taxi operators to follow government-notified meter rates. As part of the new regulations, passengers booking rides through aggregator platforms will be charged a minimum fare equivalent to 3 kilometers, irrespective of the actual distance travelled. Aggregators are mandated to ensure that vehicle owners receive at least the fare prescribed by the government for each trip. No deductions are allowed from the amount payable to the driver or vehicle owner, and all payments must be settled within 72 hours of trip completion. Any delay in payment will attract a 25% penalty on the unpaid amount.
To operate legally in Goa, all aggregators must obtain a valid license from the state government. They are required to submit annual compliance reports to the Transport Department within 30 working days after the end of each financial year. Violation of license terms or unauthorized operations will result in a penalty of `50,00,000 and may lead to blacklisting of the aggregator or individual involved. Each violation of fare regulations will attract a penalty of `5,00,000. The Transport Department will closely monitor the implementation of these guidelines through regular audits and inspections to ensure transparency and accountability.
Drivers onboarded by aggregators must hold a valid private service vehicle badge and operate vehicles with permits issued by the State or Regional Transport Authority in Goa. Aggregators must enter into enforceable contracts with their drivers, and such contracts must not prevent or discourage drivers from working with multiple aggregators simultaneously. Additionally, aggregators must provide all drivers with a minimum health insurance coverage of `10 lakh, with the base year being 2025–26 and a mandated annual increase of 5%. For female drivers, the insurance coverage must also extend to their parents and children.
To encourage participation, especially from women, the government has rolled out several incentive schemes. Vehicle owners who complete 500 trips in a year through aggregator platforms will be eligible for 50% reimbursement of their vehicle insurance premium, subject to a cap of `20,000. Female drivers meeting the same milestone will receive 100% reimbursement of their insurance premium, up to `30,000. Furthermore, female owner-cum-drivers of electric vehicles are entitled to a subsidy of `1,00,000 for the purchase of a new electric motor cab. Women opting for electric motorbikes or electric autorickshaws are eligible for a subsidy of `20,000.
The government has invited feedback from all stakeholders on the draft guidelines, which were notified on May 20, 2025. Comments and suggestions must be submitted by June 30, 2025, for further consideration before final implementation.
Government’s Perspective: Transport Department
Pravimal Abhishek, Director of Transport, emphasized the critical need for regulated app-based taxi services not only to support Goa’s booming tourism but more importantly, to address the unmet demand among local residents. According to Abhishek, although Goa recorded over one crore tourist arrivals in 2024, the “real story lies in the unmet local demand.” He noted, “Even if just three percent of Goa’s population use taxis regularly, the number of trips generated by locals would be far greater than those by tourists.” This highlights that the long-term, sustainable market for taxi services is primarily local.
Abhishek pointed out that the lack of reliable, regulated taxi services forces residents–including working women needing safe night transport, senior citizens requiring dependable travel for medical needs, and differently-abled individuals commuting to work–to rely heavily on private and self-driven vehicles. This dependence has contributed to rising traffic congestion, parking shortages, higher accident risks, and increased vehicular pollution. Goa currently has 882 vehicles per 1,000 people, which is over three times the national average, putting immense pressure on infrastructure and urban planning.
The Transport Director stressed that the draft guidelines have been carefully designed with safeguards to protect the driver’s earnings by ensuring that they receive the full government-notified fare, regardless of the aggregator’s pricing to passengers. Commissions charged by the platform will be absorbed by the aggregator and will not reduce driver income. Additionally, payments to drivers must be cleared within 72 hours of trip completion, with penalties imposed for delays beyond this timeframe.
Abhishek concluded by encouraging public feedback, urging stakeholders to submit comments within the stipulated 30-day consultation period. He highlighted that these guidelines mark a transformative step toward modernizing Goa’s transport landscape.
The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa welcomed the draft guidelines, appreciating that they address the interests
of all stakeholders–tourists, locals, drivers, and operators. The association views the guidelines as a step forward in balancing service quality and stakeholder welfare.
Goa Taxi Unions Oppose Guidelines, Call It a Threat to Livelihood and Local Control
Taxi drivers across both North and South Goa have strongly opposed the newly introduced Goa Transport Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, expressing serious concerns that the government’s push for app-based taxi services will directly threaten their livelihoods and way of life. Leading this opposition, Sunil Naik, president of the North and South Goa Taxi Owners Association, criticized the draft, claiming it is an attempt to corporatize and privatize the taxi sector, much like what has already occurred in the hotel, railway, and airport industries. Naik emphasized that taxi drivers in Goa are self-made individuals who have built their businesses independently and are unwilling to hand over control to corporations or work under company-driven platforms. He also expressed apprehension over the guidelines being “loosely defined,” fearing they could open the floodgates for operators from across the country to enter the Goan taxi market, further marginalizing local drivers.
Other taxi operators echoed these sentiments, arguing that the government’s approach appears to prioritize the interests of private aggregators over those of traditional taxi drivers. One operator stated that having app-based services in Goa is “not practical” for them and that the current model allows them autonomy over their businesses, which they are not prepared to relinquish. Many also voiced concerns about the possible proliferation of multiple aggregator platforms, warning that this could escalate existing tensions surrounding the Goa Miles app, a state-supported aggregator that already faces opposition from local drivers. “There is already so much conflict due to the Goa Miles app, and now the government plans to introduce multiple apps. This will only worsen the situation,” said another operator, underlining their fear that these changes would not only undermine their income but also create confusion and unfair competition.
In essence, Goa’s taxi drivers see the draft guidelines as a direct threat to their independence and a move toward privatizing an industry that has traditionally supported thousands of local families. Despite the government’s assurance that the new policy is designed to protect the rights and earnings of drivers − including provisions for guaranteed fares, timely payments, and health insurance – the unions remain unconvinced.
Cab Aggregator’s Standpoint:
Cab aggregator Rapido also expressed support for the guidelines, calling them a “progressive move toward building a transparent, safe, and inclusive mobility ecosystem.” Rapido sees the policy as an opportunity to create a fair and structured app-based taxi market in Goa that benefits both drivers and passengers.
The draft Goa Transport Aggregator Guidelines 2025, now officially introduced and open for public feedback for 30 days, presents a significant opportunity to transform the transport landscape in Goa. By balancing the needs of both taxi drivers and passengers, the guidelines aim to foster a more transparent, safe, and efficient taxi ecosystem. Through active community engagement and inclusive policymaking, this initiative seeks to address long-standing challenges – such as fair fares, driver welfare, and passenger convenience − while encouraging innovation and sustainability. With thoughtful input from all stakeholders, these guidelines have the potential to create a future-ready transport system that benefits the entire community.
CM says the Policy is not drafted to suit Ola & Uber
Following a meeting with taxi operators at the Mantralaya on Friday, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant clarified that the state’s draft guidelines for taxi aggregators are not intended to permit the entry of companies like Ola and Uber into Goa.
Dr. Sawant assured a delegation of taxi operators that the draft notification aims to establish a regulatory framework for taxi aggregators within the state, not to facilitate the operations of national app-based services. The taxi operators were accompanied by Calangute MLA Michael Lobo and Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar, and reiterated their strong opposition to app-based taxi services in Goa.
Dr. Sawant emphasized that the government will make a balanced and inclusive decision on the matter, taking into account the concerns of all stakeholders.
Acknowledging the need to bring order to Goa’s tourist taxi sector, MLA Michael Lobo said that national-level cab aggregators would not be affordable for local residents.
Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar added that there had been some confusion among taxi operators in his constituency, which the Chief Minister had now resolved. Arolkar said Dr. Sawant had assured the operators that the fare structure would be uniform for both aggregators and traditional taxi services.
The taxi operators are opposing the draft guidelines issued by the Directorate of Transport, which invited public feedback by June 20. Released on May 20, the guidelines outline the framework for app-based taxi services, focusing on fair pricing, driver welfare, and the use of locally registered vehicles and licensed drivers.
While the government’s guidelines are intended to streamline the taxi industry and address long-standing concerns, opposition from local operators reflects fears over affordability, competition, and potential disruption to their livelihoods. The government has assured that all perspectives will be considered before finalizing the policy.
Dr. Sawant assured a delegation of taxi operators that the draft notification aims to establish a regulatory framework for taxi aggregators within the state, not to facilitate the operations of national app-based services. The taxi operators were accompanied by Calangute MLA Michael Lobo and Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar, and reiterated their strong opposition to app-based taxi services in Goa.
Dr. Sawant emphasized that the government will make a balanced and inclusive decision on the matter, taking into account the concerns of all stakeholders.
Acknowledging the need to bring order to Goa’s tourist taxi sector, MLA Michael Lobo said that national-level cab aggregators would not be affordable for local residents.
Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar added that there had been some confusion among taxi operators in his constituency, which the Chief Minister had now resolved. Arolkar said Dr. Sawant had assured the operators that the fare structure would be uniform for both aggregators and traditional taxi services.
The taxi operators are opposing the draft guidelines issued by the Directorate of Transport, which invited public feedback by June 20. Released on May 20, the guidelines outline the framework for app-based taxi services, focusing on fair pricing, driver welfare, and the use of locally registered vehicles and licensed drivers.
While the government’s guidelines are intended to streamline the taxi industry and address long-standing concerns, opposition from local operators reflects fears over affordability, competition, and potential disruption to their livelihoods. The government has assured that all perspectives will be considered before finalizing the policy.
Key provisions of the draft guidelines:
Only taxis registered in Goa with valid permits and drivers holding Public Service Vehicle (PSV)badges will be allowed to operate under aggregators.
Aggregators must pay drivers within 72 hours of ride completion, or face a 25% penalty on delayed payments.
Drivers must be paid the government-approved fare per trip.
Aggregators are required to provide annual health insurance for drivers.
Drivers can work with multiple aggregators.
Fare meters are not mandatory for aggregator-operated vehicles.
Only taxis registered in Goa with valid permits and drivers holding Public Service Vehicle (PSV)badges will be allowed to operate under aggregators.
Aggregators must pay drivers within 72 hours of ride completion, or face a 25% penalty on delayed payments.
Drivers must be paid the government-approved fare per trip.
Aggregators are required to provide annual health insurance for drivers.
Drivers can work with multiple aggregators.
Fare meters are not mandatory for aggregator-operated vehicles.
