http://oheraldo.in/node/8940
GOTTA opposes metering of taxis BY HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 23 – In a bid to draw the attention of the court to the on-going problems being faced by tourist taxis in the state, the Goa Tourist Taxi Association (GOTTA) parked nearly 40 cars outside the High Court premises at Altinho, here. They put their vehicles on display as their matter was fixed for today. The petition filed by the Travel and Tourism Association was later adjourned till the first week of February. Representatives of GOTTA cried foul once again over the lack of sympathy from the government and the absence of any solutions to their problems. The President of GOTTA Kennedy Goes said, "The government is now planning on introducing meters for tourist taxis which is not practical." He pointed out that nearly 70 per cent of tourist taxis belong to the category of super-luxury tourist taxis and are dedicated Tourist taxi operators whose tariffs are worked out in consultation with hotels from where they operate. The fixing of meters and preparation of tariff charts, Goes claimed would make it increasing difficult for them to pay back their bank loans as most of them are high priced vehicles serving tourists visiting Goa. He alleged that the government is working in collusion with the travel and tour operators to jeopardize the livelihood of the taxi operators who are sons of the soil. He urged that the government should monitor the operations of the bus tour operators who he alleged are fleecing tourists. He complained that when it was decided in principle to allow taxi operators to operate three times a week, the travel and tour association approached the court thereby throwing the entire negotiation process out of gear. He pointed out that the introduction of meters in the past was a failure and the attempt to introduce it again is not a solution. Goes today not only opposed the proposal for introduction of meters but also demanded for allocation of days to the taxi operators at the earliest. -- May your God be with you. Gabe Menezes. London, England