Goa transport dept won’t process applications for new rent-a-cabs

Panaji: Troubled by the role of rental cabs in cases of rash and drunken driving, the directorate of transport on Saturday announced that it would no longer process licences or permits under the rent-a-cab scheme.
The decision to stop issuing fresh permits was taken on Feb 24 at a meeting of the state transport authority.
“The decision has been taken in the public interest considering concerns related to road safety, traffic congestion, and regulatory compliance. It has been observed that an increasing number of road accidents involve self-driven rental vehicles, with instances of rash and negligent driving by tourists, including cases of driving under the influence of alcohol, leading to grievous injuries and fatalities,” said transport director Pravimal Abhishek.
In view of the decision of the state transport authority, Abhishek issued a public notice asking applicants not to submit any new applications for rent-a-cab permits as “such applications will not be processed” at this stage.
The public notice comes a day after the directorate of transport announced a crackdown on unauthorised private vehicle operations as rent-a-cab services in Goa. Offenders will face a fine starting at Rs 10,000, with repeat violators subject to heavier penalties.
Abhishek said that the authorities will impound private vehicles that are used for commercial purposes and may also lead to the cancellation of the vehicle registration.
Enforcement agencies have been asked to conduct regular checks and crack down on illegal rent-a-cab operations.
While self-drive cars offer tourists the flexibility to explore the state at their own pace, rental vehicles have been involved in hit-and-run accidents, drunk driving fatalities, driving on beaches, and rash driving incidents.
The most recent instance was the hit-and-run accident at Siolim where a mother and son were injured.