Kolkata’s Yellow Taxis To Transform With New Taxi Colour Rules

Kolkata’s legendary yellow cabs, a familiar sight on the city’s roads since 1962, are about to experience a major change. The government of West Bengal has revised regulations to allow all light commercial vehicles with taxi permits to display the traditional yellow color. This action, led by Transport Secretary Saumitra Mohan, signifies a shift from the earlier rule that limited taxi colors to white. This choice has been received positively as a move towards safeguarding the city’s cultural heritage while adopting modernity in its transport network.

The Hindustan Motors Ambassador, previously synonymous with Kolkata’s yellow cabs and celebrated as the “rulers of the streets” for their resilience and unique appeal, has witnessed a decline in its presence. In the last ten years, the number of taxis has decreased from 18,000 to just 7,000 by 2024. This reduction is linked to the 15-year service cap established by a 2008 Calcutta High Court ruling for environmental concerns and the cessation of Ambassador manufacturing in 2014. An extra 4,493 vehicles are expected to be retired in 2025 because of this age limit, leading to a forecasted decline in the city’s yellow taxi count to below 3,000 by the end of the year.

This alteration in regulation addresses the difficulties that conventional yellow taxis encounter when competing with app-driven ride services. These contemporary options provide enhanced convenience, cost-effectiveness, and functionalities like GPS tracking and variable pricing, leading to their rising popularity among commuters in Kolkata. By permitting additional vehicles to embrace the iconic yellow color, the government seeks to balance preserving a valued facet of Kolkata’s transport legacy while addressing current transportation needs.

Alongside the flexible color scheme, the new policy offers companies or individuals the chance to personalize their taxis with unique colors, logos, or rooftop designs if they register 20 or more vehicles within a month. This regulation, pending the transport department’s endorsement, paves the way for more tailored and possibly more attractive taxi services in the city.

Essentially, although Kolkata’s yellow taxis are set to maintain their presence on the streets, the legendary Ambassador cars that previously ruled the fleet are increasingly becoming less common. This development showcases larger changes towards more eco-friendly methods and the incorporation of technology into urban transportation options. The recent policy changes by the government show a dedication to maintaining Kolkata’s cultural identity while adapting the modernization of its taxi services. As the city adjusts to emerging transportation trends and environmental regulations, its yellow taxis remain a symbol of resilience and adaptability. This combination of tradition and advancement guarantees that even as the Ambassador becomes a part of history, the essence of Kolkata’s yellow taxis will endure.