Goa's public transport largely consists of privately operated buses linking the major towns to rural areas. Government-run buses, maintained the Kadamba Transport Corporation, links both major routes (like the Panjim Margao route) and some remote parts of the state. In large towns such as Panjim and Margao, intra city buses ply. However, public transport in Goa is less developed, and residents depend heavily on their own transport, usually motorised two-wheelers.
Goa has two National Highways passing through it. NH-17 runs along India's west coast and links Goa to Bombay in the north and Mangalore to the south. NH-4A running across the state connects the capital Panjim to Belgaum in east, linking Goa to cities in the Deccan.
The NH-17A connects NH-17 to Mormugao Harbour from Cortalim, and the new NH-17B, once complete will be a four lane highway connecting Mormugao Harbour to NH-17 at another location, Verna, via Dabolim airport. Goa has a total of 224 km (139 mi) of National highway, 232 km (144 mi) of state highway and 815 km of district highway.
Goa's sole airport, the Dabolim Airport, is both a military and civilian airport catering to domestic and international airlines that stop en route to other Indian destinations. In addition to regular flights, the airport handles a large number of chartered flights. Goa receives International flights from Dubai, Sharjah and Kuwait in the Middle East and from the United Kingdom, Germany and Russia during the charter flight tourist season.
Dabolim airport is serviced by the following carriers Air India, Indian Airlines, Air Deccan, Kingfisher airlines, Go air, Spice jet, Jet Airways besides Charter flights from Thomas Cook (condor) etc. KTC offers its Ashtavinayaka Tours, by air-conditioned buses, during the weekends.
The Chintamani of the thevur, Mayureshwar of Morgao, Sidhivinayak of Sidhtek, Mahaganpati of Rangao, Vighneshawar of Ozar, Girijatmak of Lenyadri, Varadvinayak of Mahad, Balleishwar of Pali are among the places covered. The tour covers 1600 km and costs Rs 2500 per person. Booking can be done at booking offices at bus-stands or at depots of the KTC.
Sea Princess Candolim Beach Hired forms of transport include unmetered taxis, and, in urban areas, auto rickshaws. A unique form of transport in Goa is the Motorcycle taxi, operated by drivers who are locally called pilots. These vehicles transport a single pillion rider, at fares that are usually negotiated prior or after the journey (it is always better to ask locals on the correct fare before you try any negotiations yourself).
In some places in Goa, there are river crossings which are serviced by the ferry boats, operated by the river navigation departments.Goa has two rail lines one run by the South Western Railway and the other by the Konkan Railway.
The line run by the South Western Railway was built during the colonial era linking the port town of Vasco da Gama with Hubli in Karnataka via Margao. The Konkan Railway line, which was built during the 1990s, runs parallel to the coast connecting Mumbai to the Malabar Coast.
The KTC operates the bus stands (main bus stops or station) in almost all of Goa's cities and towns. Their services cover the length and breadth of Goa today. The ticket prices are reasonable and for intra-Goa travel are purchased on the bus itself from the on board bus conductor.
These buses tend to be packed with passengers during peak hours and there are some non stop shuttle mini bus services as well, connecting cities like Panjim, Margao, Vasco and Ponda. Like the other bus services in Goa, they have special rates for children, students and senior citizens. It functions as the school bus during school hours.
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