Kolkata’s famous yellow metered taxis, which have long been hailed as a representation of the city’s allure, are in danger of going extinct because by the end of the year, about 4,500 of the fleet more than half of it will be retired.
A 15-year service restriction imposed by the state transport department is the reason for the decision. The yellow taxis, also referred to as the “ambassadors,” have been a feature of Kolkata’s colourful environment for many years.
Taxis were incorporated into Kolkata’s transit system prior to independence in order to handle the city’s constant crowds. In 1908, they began driving on Kolkata’s streets for the first time, charging only 8 annas (50 paise) each mile.
In 1958, Hindustan Motors, a division of the Birla Technical Services industrial group, started manufacturing the recognisable Ambassador. British car designer Sir Alexander Issigonis created the Ambassador, which was based on the 1956 Morris Oxford Series III. Due to its timeless style and roomy interior, the Hindustan Ambassador swiftly became the go-to option for politicians and government transportation. Citing the Ambassador’s robust construction as perfect for Indian conditions, the Calcutta cab Association transformed it into a cab in 1962.
Because yellow is so visible, even at night, it was selected. They quickly earned the moniker “King of Indian Roads” and gradually gained popularity as a travel option. Newer models of the Ambassador car were released over time, but by the early 2000s, declining sales and escalating competition had doomed the brand, and on May 24, 2014, the final Ambassador left the assembly line.
The yellow cab fleet that is still in operation in Kolkata is facing difficulties as a result of the shutdown of the Hindustan Motors facility. Repairing the ageing Ambassadors has become a specialised task that only a select few mechanics can perform because there are no fresh spare components available.
The COVID-19 halted lockdown and other transportation-related restrictions made things even worse by forcing many yellow taxi drivers to close their doors. Additionally, in an effort to reduce diesel emissions, government regulations now require that commercial cars older than 15 years be phased out.
Additionally, cab aggregators such as Ola and Uber began to pose a serious threat to these yellow taxis. These app-based services are a popular alternative to conventional yellow cabs because they provide affordable rates, a large selection of cars, GPS tracking, speedy booking, skilled drivers, and safety measures.
The West Bengal government released the Yatri Sathi app in an effort to preserve their heritage. The goal of this software was to unify all of Kolkata’s yellow taxis so that customers could pay the drivers directly, without any middlemen, commissions, or surge fees. However, the concept did not come to pass as intended.