Taxi drivers of New Ministers’ Hill taxi parking in Kohima offers free rides to passengers
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KOHIMA — In a heart-warming act, local taxi drivers of New Ministers’ Hill taxi parking (Mohonkhola taxi parking) offered free rides to passengers on Monday in the name of Christmas.
The free service, which began with a prayer, was available within Kohima town from 6 am to 6 pm.
Bikram, a local taxi driver and parking in-charge at New Ministers' Hill, said they had planned to provide the service since last year, but it didn't materialise. This year, the drivers decided to offer free taxi service for one day (December 22).
He said that it is the festive season and there were plenty of passengers around, but they had wanted to provide free service in the name of Christmas.
“Passengers were kind enough and have been using our services in the past. Because of our passengers, we are able to run our family and earn for our family as well. In return we don’t have anything to give but to give free service for a day,” he said.
The taxi stand typically has around 24 vehicles, but some had gone to their villages. On Monday, about 15-16 drivers participated in the free service.
Depending on the support of the people, he said they plan to continue dedicating one-day free town trips to the passengers in the years to come.
Bikram further encouraged other taxi drivers to offer such services.
He thanked the All Nagaland Taxi Association (ANTA) for accepting their free trip proposal and encouraging them to go ahead with the service.
Some drive their own vehicle and some work for others, he mentioned and appreciated the taxi owners for extending support to their plan.
ANTA member Natong commended the taxi drivers for sparing a day to provide free service in the name of Christmas. Along with them, some other local taxi drivers are also planning to give free rides, he said while expressing hopes that others will follow suit.
Saying that the taxi drivers in the state have been doing public service, he hoped that they will continue to do so in the days to come.
Another driver, David, said they're earning every day, so why not dedicate just one day to providing free service to passengers.
Visrie also shared that they limited the free service to within the town area, as extending it to far-off places would compromise their ability to serve more passengers.