Kolkata taxis to offer discounts to senior citizens

Following tradition of City of Cambridge and Town of EastChester, Kolkata may be the first city in India to offer discount to senior citizens. Unlike the other two here the discount is flat 10%. The same was decided by Bengal Taxi Association (BTA), Calcutta Taxi Association(CTA) and West Bengal Drivers' Welfare Association(WDWA) that senior citizens alone or accompanying a child will be eligible for the discount. It will be effective from Feb 10, 2009. Senior citizens will need to carry proof of their age with them while they board the taxi. 'This gesture of the taxi association is praiseworthy' said a senior citizen at Kasba. But when the blog member spoke to few taxi drivers in city, they were under impression that they have to waive of Rs 2.00, (not the falt discount of 10 %) which is levied extra after doubling the meter reading. So this scheme may have few hicupps in its implementation, but no doubt an initiative worth to be lauded.