30/11/2024
The streets of Kolkata are on the brink of losing one of their most iconic symbols: the yellow metered taxis. Nearly 4,500 of these taxis are set to be removed from service this year, marking a transformative shift in the city's transportation landscape.
Often mentioned alongside landmarks like the Howrah Bridge and Victoria Memorial, Kolkata's yellow taxis have been an integral part of its identity since their introduction by the Calcutta Taxi Association in 1962. Known for their distinctive yellow-and-black Ambassador design, these taxis were once the "kings of the roads." However, their decline began long before app-based taxi services entered the market in 2015.
At the beginning of 2024, Kolkata had approximately 7,000 yellow metered taxis. Of these, 64%-or 4,493 vehicles are now being phased out, following a 2008 Calcutta High Court ruling that bans commercial vehicles over 15 years old from operating. An additional 2,500 taxis, primarily from the older D and E series Ambassadors, will be retired next year, leaving fewer than 3,000 on the roads.
The challenges for taxi operators have been mounting. Updating to newer BS VI-compliant vehicles, which cost upwards of 8 lakh, is financially unfeasible for many without corresponding fare adjustments. High default rates on loans further complicate matters, making it nearly impossible for many cabbies to stay in the business.
The Bengal Taxi Association's joint secretary, Sanjeeb Roy, highlighted the difficulties faced by drivers. "Without a fair increase to offset rising costs, replacing old vehicles is out of reach for most operators," he explained.
The decline of these iconic taxis is also tied to broader shifts in Kolkata's transport landscape. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the city still had around 18,000 yellow cabs, but the pandemic and the 15-year operational limit hastened their disappearance.
The city's taxi history, which began in 1908 with fares as low as 8 annas per mile, now faces an uncertain future.đ
