The Fading Color Of Yellow Taxi

The rise of app-based cabs and new vehicle rules have led to a decline. Hindustan Motors stopped making the Ambassador, so there are no new taxis to replace the old ones

Sandipan Chatterjee

Updated on: 5 July 2025 8:13 am

The Howrah Bridge Sandipan Chatterjee

An era ends: For years, Kolkata’s yellow taxis have been a big part of the city’s charm. Introduced in 1962, when the Calcutta Taxi Association chose the Hindustan Ambassador as their standard taxi, these bright yellow cabs became a familiar sight on the city's roads. Their color made them easy to spot, and their roomy design made rides comfortable.

But now, their time is coming to an end. The rise of app-based cabs and new vehicle rules have led to a decline. Hindustan Motors stopped making the Ambassador, so there are no new taxis to replace the old ones. Also, as per a Supreme Court rule, commercial vehicles older than 15 years must be removed from service.

Slowly, these once-iconic taxis are disappearing from the streets. Their honks, their smooth rides, and the stories they carried will soon be memories of Kolkata’s past.

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B. Kamath, a 52-year-old man from Madhubani district in Bihar, is considering driving a private car if taxis are discontinued. He lives with his wife and three sons. His eldest son works at a saree shop in Bangalore, while the other two sons are at home studying. He has been driving his current taxi is valid for more 2 years and 6 months. Kamath has been driving yellow taxis since 1987 and has a deep attachment to them. Sandipan Chatterjee

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A yellow taxi at Kolkata's famous Chowringhee Road. Sandipan Chatterjee

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Yellow taxi plying on Kolkata city Burra Bazar area with the other vehicles in the evening time. Sandipan Chatterjee

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Sambhu Raut came to Kolkata in 1989 from Samastipur district in Bihar. He was 17 years old at the time. Initially, he worked as a helper with a mechanic, but in 1993, he started driving. From the very first day, he drove a yellow taxi. Back then, he earned good money, but now, there is hardly any profit. These days, more people prefer bike taxis. In his opinion, the yellow taxi is a very good vehicle for taxi service. He plans to continue driving it for as long as it lasts, but once it is gone, he will return to his hometown and drive a toto (electric rickshaw). His mother lives there, though his father has passed away. His elder brother works in the BSF. Sambhu owns some land, where he plans to do farming. He is married, and his son is studying at an ITI. He once wanted to join the BSF himself, but he couldn't because his height was lower from the height requirement for BSF. Sandipan Chatterjee