PANAJI
The rampant growth of rent-a-cabs in the State has prompted a decisive crackdown, with the State Transport Authority (STA) enforcing a complete freeze on new permits under existing licenses.
While there’s already a halt on fresh licenses, permits/ registrations surged under the existing licenses, adding 3,618 rental cabs to the fleet since 2021.
Official sources revealed that STA authorities expressed concern about widespread violations and offenses involving rental vehicles. “There is a blatant disregard for transport regulations and the overall law. The Transport Department has intensified enforcement action, and in line with this, the STA has decided not to issue more permits under existing licenses,” a senior official told The Goan.
“There have been hundreds of permits under a single license issued till the STA decision. Restrictions are a must before we see further misuse of the rules,” the official added.
In the current year till March 17, out of 3,438 permits granted across various categories, 359 were issued for rental cabs alone.
Last month, the Transport Department imposed strict guidelines tightening the noose around the alleged illegal operations of the rent-a-cab operators. The directive mandated that rental cars must operate solely from registered office premises. It warned that licenses of violators operating from public spaces, such as airports and railway stations, would be suspended immediately.
In another directive, officials flagged the illegal use of private vehicles with white number plates and transport vehicles operating without valid permits as rent-a-cabs, in violation of the Rent-a-Cab Scheme, 1989, and the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. These violating operators face a fine of Rs 10,000, along with suspension of registration while repeat offenders will have their permits cancelled.
Meanwhile, the Transport Department has issued a total of 89,096 permits to date. However, a 6.79 percent decline was recorded in 2024, following a sharp 51.86 percent rise in 2023 and a massive 161.71 percent jump in 2022. These permits include All India Tourist Permits, Contract Carriage permits, National Permits, Goods Permits and others.
