Kolkata:
Thousands of taxis today stayed off roads in the metropolis to protest police action against drivers and also demanded setting up of taxi stands.
Two trade unions CITU, AITUC and most of the taxi unions had called for a day-long taxi strike demanding scrapping of the Rs 3,000 fine imposed on drivers for refusing passengers.
General Secretary of Bengal Taxi Association, Bimal Guha, said the strike was "completely successful".
"We have kept some taxis aside for emergency services like hospitals and examination centres," he said, adding, they had written to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee but got no reply.
Since August, Left-backed trade unions have called nine strikes demanding a hike in the minimum fare from Rs 25 to Rs 35 and slashing the fine on drivers from Rs 3,000 to Rs 100.
Their other demands include dropping of legal proceedings against 450 taxi owners.