End of an era as Mumbai's iconic Kaali Peeli taxis retire today
To truly experience the essence of Mumbai and its unique charm, your travel guide might give you popular tourist spots like Juhu Beach and SRK's residence, Mannat, but you must take a ride in one of the iconic 'Kaali Peeli' (black-and-yellow) taxis, which has its own beauty.
What
In an attempt to make Mumbai greener, the state is phasing out its 'Premier Padmini’ aka Kaali Peeli taxis. This move comes as newer electric models and app-based cab services gain prominence.
Why? According to a transport department official, as reported by Hindustan Times, the final Premier Padmini was registered as a black-and-yellow taxi at the Tardeo RTO, responsible for the island city of Mumbai, on October 29, 2003.
- Since the city enforces a 20-year age limit for taxis, Mumbai will no longer have a Premier Padmini taxi starting today (October 30).
- This decision follows the recent retirement of Mumbai's iconic red double-decker diesel buses operated by BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport).
How it started
- Premier Padmini taxis were first introduced in 1964.
- The initial model was the 'Fiat-1100 Delight' with a 1203cc engine and a unique steering wheel gear changer.
- In the 1970s, it underwent a transformation, changing its name from "Premier President" to "Premier Padmini" (named after the 14th-century Mewar princess).
- Premier Automobile Limited (PAL) was responsible for manufacturing this iconic vehicle.
- Production of the Premier Padmini ceased in 2001.
- After the halt in production, cab drivers started finding it difficult to obtain spare parts.
- Maintaining the cab became more expensive as consumers preferred app-based taxi services.
Furthermore, it also became a concern for the environment due to heavy emissions, prompting the government to impose the '20-year rule.' Now, the last registered taxi has also retired as it completes its 20 years on the streets of Mumbai.
Fun fact: The iconic black-and-yellow color scheme of Mumbai's taxis was suggested by freedom fighter V.B. Gandhi. His proposal recommended painting the lower portion of the taxis in black to conceal stains and the upper half in yellow for improved visibility.
These taxis soon became an integral part of Mumbai's identity and a symbol of the city's unique charm. They were not only a mode of transportation but also a cultural icon and a backdrop in countless Bollywood movies and photographs capturing the essence of Mumbai. Now, they will be missing from the streets of Mumbai.