Not all senior citizens need discounts. But all low-income people do.
“A private-sector discount program would hardly replace more comprehensive governmental anti-poverty programs, but it could help narrow income inequality. It would also be simple to implement: Those seeking to take advantage of it could show any public assistance ID, disability claim or an unemployment pay stub to qualify. Brand it as the ‘Opportunity Discount’ or create the ‘D Card’ (for deserving); a positive name would reduce potential stigma just as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) sounded less degrading than ‘food stamps.’ Income-based pricing is not entirely new. Universities, utilities, mobile phone companies and an increasing number of local governments provide price breaks for poorer citizens. New York City cut the cost of transit passes this summer by 50 percent for customers with incomes below the poverty line. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has been debating a similar policy in Boston.”