"Law Of The Land" In Goa, belongs to Taxi Unions Only; And no one can do anything, of least the state government...
Instead of charging Rs.1,000 for one-way fare from Calangute to Mopa, taxi unions to unilaterally charge Rs.1,500 or more.
The Government of Goa, vide the notification in the official gazette of Goa, detailed the fares which individual taxi operators could charge : No. D.Tpt/STA/2375-111/2019/144 on 14th of January 2021 (to be effective from 1st February 2021)
The basic charge was Rs.26/Km for one way journey, without return fare for cars having capacity from 998 cc to 1199 cc.
The price of Petrol then was about Rs.83.5/litre (rounded) and since then, the price of fuel has increased to Rs.98/litre; which is about 17%. Factoring in the fuel price hike since the notification, the lowest bracket fare could be increased to Rs.30/ Km.
The distance from Calangute to Mopa International Airport is 30 Kms, which makes the one way "rightful fare" Rs.900/-
If we round the figure even to accommodate the inflation in and the subsequent rise in ancillary cost of operating the business, by 12%; still the figure comes out to Rs.1,000/-.
While the taxi owners, have unilaterally decided to charge the one-way fair to Mopa International Airport, from Calangute to Mopa International Airport to Rs.1,500/-, which is exorbitantly 50% high more than the calculation above.
The distance from Calangute to Dabolim Airport is 37 Kms, 7 Kms more than the distance to Mopa Airport.
North Goa taxi union executive member hilariously are demanding that Government should have consulted them on the fare.Where is the part on consultation, when the calculation is so simple?
The whole point of taxi union members is not to allow any discount on the fare, even though Mopa Airport is closer compared to Dabolim airport, because that would mean lesser earnings to them.
Evidently time-and-again demonstrated, the State government of Goa having no control over Taxi unions, tourists have no other option, other than to pay what Taxi drivers demand; and carry on!