[para_7k]

Thank you all for the replies and concerns.

@Hemant, it wasn't just about the price. It was also about what we got in return for the money. Cheap or expensive, we really didn't deserve that deadly ride.
Thank you for the link, I shall raise a complaint.

@GTO, For local sight seeing, we hired a scooter and went to places within a radius of 5 kms. For Airport transfers, I couldn't really figure out how self drive rental cars would have worked. In any case, it's true that we missed A LOT of homework and learnt the lesson the hard way.

We have enough opinions now from BHPians and as pointed out by Hemant, I shall raise a complaint. It is now time to put this behind us and move on. I am not sure if we will ever visit Goa again. Places like Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand seem to be more VFM and friendly according to BHPian comments in this very thread

Mods, please help to close this discussion.

[am1m]

Originally Posted by para_7k

For Airport transfers, I couldn't really figure out how self drive rental cars would have worked.

Some rental agencies will bring a car to the airport and arrange to have it picked up at the airport. Or you can hire a car from one of the operators at the airport. Not sure about costs relative to outside rentals though.

[invidious]

Lots of chatter on Twitter about the Taxi mafia in Goa and how it is playing an absolutely chaotic role in harming the reputation of Goa as a tourist destination. The statistics on the dip of foreign tourists and rise of domestic tourists is a tale in itself. It’s such a shame - was such a great getaway destination in the 90s and 00s.

[RMN]

I often try and avoid public transport due to their close similarity with organized crime and prefer driving myself. Unfortunately, after many years I had to take an auto in Kanoor recently and very promptly had a bad experience.

Have had similar experiences in Goa few years back and hence have had 0 interest in touring there anymore. Like many people say, I've preferred other countries instead.

[sukhbirST]

Having lived for some time in Goa, I can say that apart from taxi mafia there is a bit of discrimination at other places also. We used to go out every saturday for dinner and most of the times tables were full (on phone), till I started booking in the name of foreigners. For taxi to station etc., I booked through taxi owners who were outsiders but settled in Goa. There are buses also but only local know about them, though they are good. Good that nothing worse happened. Like safety being discussed in cars etc., there is a need to mention safe tourist friendly places as well in our drives/reviews.

[Aloneatma]

Always drive down to Goa in your own vehicle, especially if you live 500-800 kms away. Goa, lately, has lost its erstwhile charm thanks to the teeming frustrated locals. It is bewildering to understand this odious attitude of the locals towards tourists. It is after all the tourists that fuel the economy of an otherwise non-performing state. No wonder hordes of tourists are avoiding Goa, both domestic and international. So, drive down to Goa or better still, don't visit.

[am1m]

Originally Posted by Aloneatma

It is bewildering to understand this odious attitude of the locals towards tourists.

This will certainly cause the thread to derail off-topic. Like in every one of our tourist places and cities, the issues that Goa faces are because of many reasons. It's never as simple as locals or tourists entirely at fault.

And it's the same reasons- too many people at the same time, lack of enforcement of existing regulations, lack of planning and vision by governments, and finally bad behavior by both the tourists and locals. (Though, even as a tourist, my sympathies tend towards the local Goans who don't work in the tourist industry but have to face the daily nuisance from large numbers of badly behaved tourists.)

So generalizations (by both tourists and locals, and of both locals or tourists) are going to be inaccurate and will just inflame things without addressing the root causes.

[Sensible_Speed]

What happened here is not very uncommon in India. I had a similar experience in Sikkim. The driver was supposed to drive us around in Sikkim and drop us off in Darjeeling the next day. The man pulled over at a gas station halfway to Darjeeling and demanded 2500 extra as the "owner" hadn't mentioned anything about driving us around in Sikkim. When we refused and called the owner up, he started to drive very dangerously in the narrow, steep hills. Luckily, the car broke down, owing to his abuse and he too simmered down, while we waited for the engine to cool again. When we reached Darjeeling, we threatened to report him to the police and he flew like the wind from the drop point.

What I'm trying to say is, this is a common scare tactic here. They drive fast to scare you, so you end up giving them the money just to slow down.

[Gagan_DB]

Originally Posted by para_7k

What I want to talk about here is about our taxi ride from Palolem to MOPA airport which is about 100 kms. The post can be a bit long and I appreciate your patience. I will try to break it down as much as I can.

Thank God all are safe and good. I have driven to Goa with my own car for more than 8 times but almost every time I have witnessed Reckless Goan Taxi drivers honking, doing Rash Over takes like Goa is ruled by them! Many beach spots are approached by narrow roads but they drive crazy & never consider safety of passengers sitting with them nor the other vehicles going in the road. Also one more point is by chance if you ask any location or road details they many times misguide you.(Not all taxi drivers in Goa but many there ).They feel disrespected and angry if you don't buy anything from the shops which they take you.

[Aloneatma]

Originally Posted by am1m

This will certainly cause the thread to derail off-topic. Like in every one of our tourist places and cities, the issues that Goa faces are because of many reasons. It's never as simple as locals or tourists entirely at fault.

And it's the same reasons- too many people at the same time, lack of enforcement of existing regulations, lack of planning and vision by governments, and finally bad behavior by both the tourists and locals. (Though, even as a tourist, my sympathies tend towards the local Goans who don't work in the tourist industry but have to face the daily nuisance from large numbers of badly behaved tourists.)

So generalizations (by both tourists and locals, and of both locals or tourists) are going to be inaccurate and will just inflame things without addressing the root causes.

I completely agree. But most observations are from personal experiences. I am sure there is a flip side to this from the local perspective. But it is difficult to overlook the flak Goa seems to be getting lately. Every tourist hotspot has a similar tale but this Goan attitude is a tad difficult to digest.
I love visiting Goa, have many friends who have settled there. Maybe the locals are feeling insecure in their own homeland which is somehow getting hijacked by the rest of the country 🤔.

[Piston_head]

In Goa, If you could drive, It is always better to choose a self drive car from a reputed agent. We can drop the car in airport or railway station and we can leave.

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by para_7k

We are a family of 3 - vacation to Goa from Pune for 4 days last week.

Is there a reason for not driving from Pune? Given the distance isn't much.

Apart from driving sense, I also hate to haggle and avoid autos and taxi as much as possible.

In general, the best driven and courteous drivers I've experienced are either cabs owned by hotels or those I take on day rentals. Among others, only owners who drive their (or family owned) taxis drive sanely, these guys would put private car owners to shame. I've had the privilege to ride on few like that.

Fleet owned hired drivers are a mixed bag for the worse. The jerks outnumber the good guys by a large margin.

Originally Posted by am1m

Some rental agencies will bring a car to the airport and arrange to have it picked up at the airport.

I had done this in 2016. The pickup and drop was near the airport. Coordination was a hassle and the one who picked and dropped was an idiot. But it was peace of mind from airport to airport and we had the trip in our terms.

Originally Posted by para_7k

I am not sure if we will ever visit Goa again. Places like Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand

I wouldn't go and grossly generalize. Each place has its own set of problems and spending time to research will make you wary and be more careful. During our Rome and Pisa trip, my missus had researched that there are 2 bus routes in Rome and buses in Pisa that are infamous for pickpocketing. While nothing happened in Rome, getting from-to Pisa train station was a whole different ballgame. I've never seen such blatant pickpocketing attempts all my life. That doesn't mean you don't visit the Leaning Tower or Italy for that matter.

[suzuki san]

Originally Posted by para_7k

MODS -

But our man, continued what he was doing in full glory. Tailgating all vehicles, sudden accelerations and sudden brakings, overtaking on curves, finding non existent gaps, not slowing down if the vehicle in front is braking and whatever stupid move you name it, he was doing it.

3rd driver of the actual cab- Name Alex, Toyota Etios, GA 10T 0462, No idea of the agency or employer

Sorry to hear about your ordeal.

I totally agree with you about the taxi mafia et al.

Quick question : Was this a genuine taxi cab - yellow number plate? Or a private car?

The reason I ask is because a proper licensed yellow plate taxi in Goa has an engine limiter and top speed restricted to 80 KMPH which would make it a little difficult for your driver to do the things he was doing as an old Etios is not exactly a pocket rocket.

In fact, the taxi Ertigas and Innovas are extremely annoying - sitting in the fast lane doing exactly 80 Kmph.

You do realize that you can escalate this matter to the Goa RTO? If it was a private car being used, the Owner would be getting a visit from the cops.

Maybe next time check if you are getting a genuine yellow plate taxi....but more importantly, and sadly, you need to do a lot of homework before coming to Goa. If you have a local contact, life is much easier.

Cheers,
SS

[Thad E Ginathom]

Had a similar experience with a driver from Mysore to Korg a couple of years ago. This is supposed to be the beginning of the holiday, and being driven through forests should be pleasant. From the start, on the city roads, this guy was speeding between speed humps and braking hard just before them but still taking them too fast. At one, the car bonnet flew open and the engine stopped! He had some difficulty getting it started again. I guess it was that point that I shouted at him. He moderated a tiny bit, but not at all enough to make the journey nice. This car was arranged by the mountain resort!

I made it known to the travels company what I thought of his driver. We had the return journey booked in advance, and he promised to send someone good, but how can one rely on such a promise. Sadly, I forgot to inform the resort owner.

For local trips we called another driver, who was excellent, and we arranged our return journey with him. The original guy's boss was most upset, and called us two or three times: once more and we would have just blocked his number.

para_7k, I really sympathise. Right from the days when I was a tourist visitor in India I understood that a driver can contribute so much to a trip or part of it. Or, errm.... not! I also understand that, not only are we all "local drivers," but we have all probably been driven by auto drivers and cabbies who neither angels nor good drivers, so when we experience something really bad, we know it is really bad.

[07CR]

Originally Posted by GTO

I always get a self drive rental car in Goa.

Why not drive your own car in that case? I did the same a 1.5 year back and was a great experience.