Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Jun 15: In a significant shift in Goa’s tourism and transport sector, nearly one-third of the state's 12,000-strong tourist taxi fleet is now operating through local app-based platforms, marking a growing embrace of homegrown digital mobility solutions.

According to official figures, over 5,000 taxis have been registered under local platforms, primarily with two key players — Goa Miles and Goa Taxi App. Goa Miles alone accounts for over 4,000 of these taxis, reinforcing its leading presence in the coastal state.

The surge in app-based registrations comes on the heels of a strong declaration by Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, who reaffirmed that cab aggregators from outside Goa will not be permitted to operate within the state’s boundaries. His statement, made on Friday, has bolstered confidence among local taxi unions and tech-driven local service providers.

The draft Goa Transport Aggregators Guidelines 2025, issued on May 20, aims to regulate digital taxi services while safeguarding the interests of local operators. The public has until June 30 to submit feedback and raise objections.

“Allaying fears of traditional taxi operators, the CM made it clear that the future of mobility in Goa lies with local entrepreneurs and not with multinational platforms,” said an official source from the transport department.

Goa Miles, which operates in association with the Goa Tourism Development Corporation, has seen consistent growth since its launch seven years ago. Speaking to PTI, CEO Utkarsh Dabhade shared, “Our platform has seen encouraging response from both tourists and locals. We currently serve around 15,000 passengers daily, with tourists making up nearly 85 percent of our customer base.”

As Goa continues to position itself as a model for sustainable and locally driven tourism, the rising popularity of homegrown app-based taxi services reflects a broader shift towards self-reliant infrastructure and governance-friendly digital integration.