As Goa opens up to app-based taxis, women's safety fears are being stoked. However, looking at the track record of app-based taxis in other locations, women are in for safer, affordable and independent travel, options that local services have long failed to offer.
If we can trust technology with our money, food, and homes—why not with our safety too? That’s the question I’ve often asked myself while watching the debate around app-based taxis in Goa unfold.
With the Goa government recently taking steps to welcome more aggregator platforms into the state, local taxi operators are pushing back by claiming these services are unsafe for women.
The government's draft guidelines emphasise safety and inclusivity. They propose mandatory health insurance for drivers, with additional benefits for female drivers, and stipulate that aggregators must onboard only those with valid permits and PSV (Public Service Vehicle) badges. These measures aim to create a safer and more regulated environment for both drivers and passengers.
Whether it’s heading out late at night or catching an early-morning flight, there’s comfort in knowing you can book a cab with a few taps on your phone.
Goan taxi operators' claims on women's safety in app-based taxis are both misplaced and vitiated. Having travelled across metro cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi, I’ve always found it easier to navigate myself and travel using app-based taxi services.
They’re affordable, predictable, and—most importantly—empowering, especially for women. Whether it’s heading out late at night or catching an early-morning flight, there’s comfort in knowing you can book a cab with a few taps on your phone.
Unfortunately, that level of ease still feels like a luxury in Goa, where even when tired I am compelled to drive. Also, even after consuming alcohol one is forced to drive because of unaffordable taxi services or the lack of safe and easily available travel options. However, in other parts of the country and in the world that may not be the case.
As a woman, my travel experience is always layered with caution. No system is perfect and safety incidents do happen. But with my travel experience in India and abroad, I’ve found that app-based taxis still offer far more security than traditional ones. From GPS tracking to ride-sharing options and emergency buttons, there’s a safety net—something local taxi systems often lack.
In Goa, I have used Goa Miles, the state-supported app-based taxi service. While the app does have its glitches and occasional technical issues, my overall experience has been quite good. The fares are transparent, the drivers are generally polite, and the booking process is far simpler than making endless calls to local operators.
But there’s an underlying tension I’ve noticed: many drivers on the platform are afraid. They’re often worried about being bullied or harassed by members of the local taxi lobby, who see aggregators as a threat to their long-held control.
Also, going out at night or worrying about getting home safely in these cabs can be ruled out. These are basic expectations, especially in a tourism-dependent state like Goa.
In Goa, I rely on friends or family for airport pick-ups and drops in Goa, simply because local taxis are unaffordable. With app-based taxis, there is no need to negotiate fares or chase reliability. Also, going out at night or worrying about getting home safely in these cabs can be ruled out. These are basic expectations, especially in a tourism-dependent state like Goa.
I’ve never felt insecure stepping into an app-based taxi after a party or late event. It gives me the freedom to enjoy myself without having to constantly strategise how I’ll get back. That sense of independence is something every woman deserves—whether she’s a local resident or a tourist.
App-based taxis also offer a solution to another growing concern in Goa: reckless driving and traffic violations caused by self-driven car rentals. If tourists had access to affordable, regulated taxis at their fingertips, the roads would likely be safer for everyone.
The road ahead for Goa involves embracing app-based taxis, not resisting them. That means creating policies that support fair competition, protect drivers from intimidation, and improve app reliability. It also means building awareness among locals so they begin to see these services not as a threat, but as a step toward a more inclusive, mobile future.
Embracing technology and regulation can coexist with preserving local employment, provided there's a collaborative approach to integration.
It's essential to recognize that the opposition's concerns, while valid in terms of livelihood, should not overshadow the potential benefits these services offer, especially to women seeking safe and reliable transportation options.
Embracing technology and regulation can coexist with preserving local employment, provided there's a collaborative approach to integration.
Ultimately, app-based taxis aren’t just a convenience—they’re a necessity. And for women especially, they’re a gateway to claiming space, time, and freedom in a world that too often puts limits on all three.
Because the truth is—when done right, app-based taxis offer more security, convenience, and affordability than many traditional services ever have. And women across Goa already know this. What we need now is not fear-driven resistance, but better regulation and implementation.