App-based taxi service in Goa by October

Here’s something that could bring some relief to those who use taxis or similar public transport in the state. The Goa Electronics Limited (GEL) is in the final stages of preparing an app and central tracking response system that will help commuters and enforcement agencies with comprehensive information about local taxis. The app, which is expected to be launched by October, will provide the kind of Information one can find with private players like Uber and Ola. The app will be run by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) jointly with the transport department. Once downloaded on one’s phone, it will help with Information on specific taxis and estimated time of arrival at the destination. It will even provide users to make payment online or using a debit card. The passengers after making payment will receive a printed bill, which will carry vehicle ID (registration number), trip start date/time, trip end date/time, distance traveled and total fare.

The taxis will be fitted with 5 in r hard disk-shaped device, which will have in-built digital fare meter with printer, GPS, panic button, and debit card swipe slots integrated with overhead display board connected to web-based application-Central Tracking Response System (CTRS), for close monitoring so that assessments of productivity, safety, and trip volume can be measured. There will be a control center, which will be managed by the transport department and police. While state transport department will take care of enforcement of the law, registration, taxation, and issues relating to driving licenses, traffic police will enforce the law and will also respond to panic alerts. The device will also have an inbuilt accident management system. In case of emergencies, the crew member or passenger can immediately press emergency button to send an SOS to the monitoring authority so help can be on Its way. Not only this, the over-head display board will allow the traffic police and RTO inspectors on road to know whether the taxis are putting on the meter while transporting passengers.

The board will display three colors – red indicating ‘busy while the vehicle is on the trip (meter down). The device will reflect green color while ‘waiting’ or looking out for the passenger. It will also Indicate yellow light when vehicle Is not ready for use. “The GELwil I have a dedicated call center to attend complaints. If any passenger encounters any problem while using a taxi, such as suspected overcharging and not putting on the meter, the user can via an app or by mobile call lodge a complaint. The message there-after will be passed on to the control room to immediately track down the location, taxi driver’s name, license number and phone number as shown on the screen and contact driver immediately,” the official said. The transport department has sought expression of interest and fixed the deadline of February 2 for receiving bids from agencies for supply, installation, and maintenance of the device after directions from the Bombay High Court that it should take immediate steps on the installation of fare meters.

Once the process is completed, GEL along with the department of transport will finalize on the specifications based on the feasibility and the availability of the technology in the market and its relevance to the department and the request for proposal (RFP) will be prepared and floated. Only those vendors who participate in the EOI will be allowed to take part in the RFP. Subsequently, all vendors qualifying through the RFP will be impaneled with the department of transport for the supply of the meters. This procedure will be completed by March-end and the final technology and app will be rolled out in October. While fixing the criteria for vendors to supply the integrated device, the GEL, and transport department have ensured that the vendor has a minimum of two years of existence in the manufacture or sale of the electronic digital fare meters and has sold at least L000 Digital Meters cumulatively within the last three financial years. The vendor should have a registered office in Goa or undertake to set up an office with service centers that will work 24×7 and attend to call centers in all 12 RTO of-fices within a month of empanelment and provide one year warranty on the device.

Pic Credit: Nandesh Kambli