The iconic yellow taxi stays in Kolkata, but the ambassador may

The iconic yellow taxis of Kolkata embraced modern changes while retaining heritage

The iconic yellow taxi answered by Kolkata is synonymous with the cultural structure of the city. It will stay on the street, but the legendary ambassador to the fleet may soon disappear. A major action, the state government has expanded the rules to allow light commercial vehicles with a taxi license to apply yellow-while maintaining traditional survival, changes will bring change.

Reduce light commercial vehicle

According to the new standards proposed by the Minister of Transport Saumitra Mohan, light commercial vehicles (easy to carry three to six passengers) are no longer limited to white as the specified color. This change provides flexibility for taxi operators and maintains the cities’ signature yellow taxis at the same time.

The first launch of the yellow taxi was launched in 1962, which is an indispensable part of Kolkata’s transportation landscape. These vehicles have been celebrated as the “king of the road”, mainly the ambassadors made by Indian Stan Automobile, and are known for their durability and charm. However, the number of iconic ambassadors declined sharply from 18,000 ten years ago to 7000 as of 2024.

Shrinking fleet

In 2008, in 2008, the Court of Answers in Curvant’s Answers in 2008, the number of yellow taxis was reduced through 15 years of service restrictions. It is planned to retire 4,493 cars in 2024. By the end of 2025, the number of yellow taxis is expected to drop below 3,000 units. While promoting green practice, this rule also marks the end of the ambassador production in 2014.

Facing modern challenges

Traditional yellow taxis are trying to deal with the competition of application -based ride -hailing services. These services have attracted passengers with GPS tracking, dynamic pricing and convenient functions. With the changes in consumer preferences, yellow taxis found that it is difficult to compete in terms of burden and technology.

Balanced inheritance and progress

Experts believe that the government has decided to allow more vehicle models to join the yellow taxi team. This is a pragmatic method that can retain the transportation heritage of Kolkata while adapting to modern needs. The policy aims to maintain the city’s iconic taxis on the road, and at the same time enables operators to have flexibility to introduce new vehicles that meet the current standards.

Customization option of the fleet

In another progress, the Ministry of Transport now allows companies or individuals who register 20 or more vehicles within one month to apply for customized colors, logo or roof design for taxis. These customs may increase diversity to the city’s transportation site under the approval of the department, and at the same time keep the yellow taxi at its core.

Look forward to the future

Although the yellow taxi answered by Kolkata will last as a symbol of the city, the days when the ambassador’s dominant position in the fleet is obviously numbered. By integrating heritage with innovation, the government tries to balance, reflects the past of the wealthy city, while embracing its continuous development of the future.

The iconic yellow taxi stays in Kolkata, but the ambassador may say goodbye to the ambassador for the first time on a motorcycle.