KOLKATA: Approximately 1,500 yellow metered taxis in West Bengal will be phased out by the end of next year, as commercial vehicles older than 15 years are prohibited from operating in the city, according to a transport department official on Saturday.
Currently, there are about 4,500 Ambassador yellow taxis in the state, and this number is expected to reduce to 3,000 by the end of 2026.
In 2008, the Calcutta High Court had issued an order banning commercial vehicles older than 15 years from plying within the city limits.
Yellow taxis are considered a key part of Kolkata’s heritage, and several taxi unions have called on the transport department to offer a comprehensive revival plan to preserve these iconic vehicles.
Taxi drivers’ unions argue that many of the Ambassador taxis are still in roadworthy condition and could continue operating for at least five more years with regular maintenance and engine replacements, provided the 15-year age limit is relaxed.
Pramod Pandey, INTUC state president and leader of the taxi wing, said, “The number of yellow taxis has steadily declined from 25,000 in 2019-20 to around 8,500 in 2023. By next April, this number will fall even further.”
ALSO READ: All India Inter Zonal Cricket Tournament to kick off in Guwahati on January 6
He added that the taxi unions are seeking clarity from the government regarding its plans to address the issue, noting that the fare for yellow metered taxis has not been revised since 2016.
Pandey also emphasised the difficulties elderly taxi drivers face with the rise of app-based cabs, as many cannot use these platforms.
As a form of protest, around 10,000 people, including taxi drivers and their families, plan to send an open letter to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and present roses to Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty, symbolising their discontent over the government’s handling of the issue.
Yellow taxis, which have been prominently featured in Kolkata’s culture and films by icons like Satyajit Ray and Mrinal Sen, are an enduring symbol of the city.
“Tourists often snap photos with these taxis and take rides in them. If the state does nothing to preserve them, a piece of Kolkata’s history will be lost forever,” Pandey lamented.
In response, a senior transport official reiterated that the government is in favour of transitioning to BS6-compliant new models for the metered taxi fleet and will assist owners with bank loans.
The official emphasised, “We cannot continue using the old Ambassador models once they exceed 15 years of age. We must comply with the Calcutta High Court’s 2008 order to ensure that no commercial vehicles older than 15 years operate in the city. Therefore, we are exploring alternatives to balance the interests of all stakeholders.”
The transport department is expected to meet with taxi unions soon to discuss potential solutions.
The yellow-and-black Ambassador taxis, which first hit the streets of Kolkata in 1962, have become synonymous with the city’s identity, much like the Howrah Bridge and the Victoria Memorial.
