Rent-a-Cab counter set to take wings at airport

Another blow to local operators as AAI invites electronic bids

The Goan Network | AUGUST 11, 2018, 02:11 AM IST

CONDITIONS FOR BIDDERS
>> Should own a minimum of 30 cars of which at least five cars should be air-conditioned
>> Another condition insists that the cars should not be more than five years old
>> Should have a minimum of three years experience in operating a similar service
>> Minimum gross turnover of Rs 7.8 lakh in at least one of the preceding five financial years
>> At least Rs 3.9 lakh should have been earned from the relevant business of rent-a-cab
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COUNTER SPACE
10 square metres
COUNTER RENT
Rs 22,600 monthly
ABOUT E-TENDER
Downloading procedures began on July 30 and will continue till August 22. The opening of technical bids will be on August 23
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PANAJI: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has decided to rope in a Rent-a-Cab service provider to cater to passengers arriving at the Dabolim airport in a move that is expected to further raise the hackles of local taxi associations already restive over GoaMiles, the app-based service launched by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation.
The AAI has invited electronic bids from 'companies' for granting a license to operate a counter for renting motor cabs facility at the arrival area of Dabolim's new integrated terminal building. The conditions of the tender are such that local businessmen and taxi owners will find it difficult to participate in the bidding process.
Bidders, the tender document specifies should own a minimum of 30 cars of which at least five cars should be air-conditioned. Another condition insists that the cars should not be more than five years old.
In yet another condition, the tender specifies that the bidding company should have a minimum of three years experience in operating a similar service and have a minimum gross turnover of Rs 7.8 lakhs in at least one of the preceding five successive financial years.
Further, at least half (Rs 3.9 lakhs) should have been earned from the relevant business of rent-a-cab, the tender conditions stipulate.
What is at stake in the tender is a 10 square metres space to set up the counter in the airport's premises at a monthly rent of Rs 22,600 per month and vantage position to attract clients from among the thousands of arriving air passengers.
The e-tender downloading procedures began on July 30 and will continue till August 22. The opening of technical bids will be done on August 23.
Meanwhile, more than 10 days since the tenders were floated, local taxi association functionaries are not even aware of the development.
North Goa taxi owners association members general Secretary Vinayak Nanoskar, admitted that he is unaware of the AAI's move but reposed faith in the State government's assurance that they will be given preference at the Airport.
Passenger traffic at the Dabolim airport is consistently rising with corresponding increase in frequency of domestic and international flights.
The six years between 2012 and 2018 has seen passenger traffic double from 3.54 million 7.2 million.
The fully air-conditioned new integrated terminal building (NITB) was commissioned in 2013 and has a capacity to handle 2750 passengers at a time. The AAI also has plans to expand the terminal.   

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