Taxi Operators Get Temporary Relief at Mopa Airport

Taxi operators received temporary relief at Manohar International Airport, Mopa, on Tuesday after Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant intervened in the escalating dispute over vehicle entry and waiting-time restrictions imposed by airport opera tor GMR. Following the intervention, taxi unions said GMR has allowed a five-minute free window for pick-up and drop-off, easing the earlier two-minute limit that had triggered wide spread resentment among drivers. However, the op erators made it clear that the relaxation is only an interim measure and reit erated their demand for a minimum 10-minute waiting period. 

Earlier in the day, taxi operators converged out side the Chief Minister’s residence at Altinho to flag what they described as the ‘entry fee’ issue at Mopa airport. Heavy police de ployment was in place as a precautionary measure. Addressing reporters after the meeting, Sunil Naik, president of the North and South Goa Taxi Union (NS GTU), said the gathering was not a protest but an attempt to highlight the concerns of nearly 22,000 taxi operators across the State. “We want 10 minutes for taxis and 15 minutes for buses. Earlier, there were no issues; the problem has started now. We are happy that the earlier condition of picking up pas sengers within two minutes has been relaxed to five min utes, but this is only a temporary relief. We will continue to demand 10 minutes, as other airports allow up to eight minutes,” he said. 

Taxi drivers across Goa have strongly objected to GMR’s revised regulations, under which vehicles are reportedly charged Rs 210 if they exceed the stipulated waiting time of 2–5 minutes in the pick-up zone. Drivers argue that the limit is impractical, citing delays caused by flight arrivals, passenger coordination, luggage handling and security procedures. They contend that the rule effectively penalises taxi operators for factors beyond their control and threatens their livelihoods. According to union leaders, when these concerns were placed before the Chief Minister, he assured them that the five-minute waiting window would remain in force for the time being. He also directed officials to examine complaints regarding the number of speed breakers inside the airport premises, which drivers say further slows vehicle movement.

The operators urged the government to formally recognise them as stakeholders in future meetings with GMR so they can directly present operational issues. The agitation had earlier gathered momentum at Col vale, where a large number of taxi drivers assembled demanding an immediate rollback or further relaxation of the waiting-time restrictions. After police intervention, a 15-member delegation of taxi operators was escorted to Mopa airport to hold discussions with GMR officials. Taxi unions warned that the agitation would be intensified, including possible disruption of airport transport services, if their demands remain unaddressed.

Source: O Heraldo

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London TfL Can Only Encourage, Not Compel, Councils to Allow Taxis Access to Restricted Streets Despite Driver Investment in Electric Cabs

Concerns over restricted street access for licensed taxi drivers were raised again at City Hall after the Mayor reiterated that London boroughs retain control over whether black cabs can use roads subject to traffic restrictions, despite significant investment by drivers in electric vehicles.

The issue was raised via a written Mayor’s Questions by Keith Prince, who argued that councils - local government entities that provide public services - are forcing black cab drivers into longer routes that increase congestion, emissions and passenger fares. Prince questioned how this approach could be justified given that drivers have spent tens of thousands of pounds upgrading to electric taxis to meet clean air policies.

In a written response, the Mayor said that Transport for London (TfL) encourages boroughs to consider allowing taxi access to any streets where buses are permitted. However, he stressed that final decisions rest with individual councils, not TfL or City Hall.

The Mayor, Sadiq Khan, said boroughs are responsible for deciding whether vehicles, including taxis, can use routes where motor traffic access is restricted. These decisions, he added, are taken based on local circumstances and the objectives of specific traffic or neighborhood schemes.

The response also highlighted that boroughs have a duty to engage with stakeholders and local communities when implementing such schemes, and to consider feedback as part of their decision making. TfL’s role, according to the Mayor, is limited to encouragement and guidance rather than enforcement.

The issue remains a point of tension between licensed taxi drivers and local authorities, particularly as the capital continues to roll out low traffic neighborhoods and other traffic reduction measures. For many drivers, the argument centers on fairness, with investment in zero emission capable taxis often cited as being undermined by operational constraints imposed at borough level.

Source: TaxiPoint UK

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Delhi Govt Agrees in Principle to Allow Private EVs to Run as Shared Taxis

The Delhi government has agreed in principle to allow privately owned EVs to operate as shared taxis. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said relevant rules would be amended and an effective mechanism put in place to address concerns raised by companies. 

Gupta on Friday said the Delhi government is working on a special strategy covering EV charging infrastructure, use of solar energy and management of battery waste to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and reduce pollution in the capital. She was speaking at a meeting with automobile manufacturers and aggregator companies such as Ola, Uber and Rapido, convened to encourage wider public adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and promote shared mobility in Delhi.

“Effective and sustainable control of pollution in Delhi is possible only by reducing the number of vehicles on the roads. Transport companies must actively support the government’s mission so that Delhi can move rapidly towards becoming a Viksit Delhi,” the CM said. The meeting at the Delhi Secretariat was attended by Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh, senior transport department officials, representatives of automobile manufacturers including Tata Motors, Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, Toyota and Honda, and officials from aggregator platforms.

Gupta said the fight against pollution would require both immediate steps and long-term strategies. She added that while the government is willing, in principle, to provide facilitation, flexibility in rules and resolution of industry issues, companies must also offer concessions that make EVs and shared mobility more attractive to the public.

Vehicle manufacturers told the chief minister that large-scale deployment of EVs and a people-centric EV policy were essential for meaningful pollution control. They sought concessions to strengthen charging infrastructure, saying this would significantly boost EV adoption. Responding to this, Gupta said the government is ready to provide land for setting up charging stations but stressed that companies must also explore solar-powered charging solutions.

Source: The New Indian Express

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