Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Sep 12: Passengers and tourists travelling in taxis in Goa will soon be able to scan QR codes displayed inside the vehicles to check government-notified fares, providing greater transparency and clarity on taxi charges.

Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, speaking at a joint press conference with taxi operators, said the proposal had been approved by the State Transport Authority at its recently held meeting.

The initiative will mark the beginning of a common digital platform for taxi operators across the state and is being viewed as a middle path after taxi operators were reluctant to join an app-based platform, Lobo said.

He said taxis would no longer use meters and that the government-notified fares would also apply to GoaMiles services.

The QR code system is expected to allow passengers to verify the applicable fares and bring greater transparency to taxi charges, Lobo said.

Social activist and taxi operators' leader Sudip Tamhankar said the solution had been suggested by taxi operators themselves and would help address allegations of overcharging against them.

Tamhankar said the government had fixed the base fare for taxi operators and that the rates would be notified soon.

According to the proposed fare structure, depending on the type of vehicle, the charge for the first 3 km would be Rs 300, while travel between 3 km and 8 km would cost Rs 445. Per-kilometre charges would apply beyond 8 km.

The QR-based system is expected to provide passengers with an easy way to check the applicable government-notified fare before or during their journey.