Around 1,500 yellow taxis to be phased out by end of next year: Official

Sat Jan 04 08:51:58 UTC 2025: ## Kolkata’s Iconic Yellow Taxis Face Extinction by 2026

**Kolkata, January 4, 2025** – Kolkata’s famed yellow Ambassador taxis, a symbol of the city’s heritage, are facing extinction. By the end of 2026, approximately 1,500 metered yellow taxis will be phased out due to a 2008 Calcutta High Court order prohibiting commercial vehicles older than 15 years from operating within the city.

This will drastically reduce the number of these iconic vehicles from around 4,500 to 3,000. The decline has been steady, with numbers dropping from 25,000 in 2019-20 to approximately 8,500 in 2023. Taxi unions are expressing deep concern, with INTUC state president Pramod Pandey stating that the government’s inaction has created a crisis impacting around 10,000 people directly or indirectly.

Taxi drivers argue that many vehicles are roadworthy with proper maintenance, suggesting a five-year extension with engine replacements as a solution. They criticize the government for not revising fares since 2016, effectively rendering the metered system obsolete while app-based services are inaccessible to many older drivers. A symbolic protest is planned, including an open letter to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and a rose offering to Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty.

The transport department, while acknowledging the historical significance of the taxis, insists on adhering to the High Court order. A senior official stated that the government supports a fleet of newer, BS6-compliant metered taxis and will assist owners with bank loans for the transition. A meeting between the transport department and taxi unions is planned. The future of these iconic vehicles, featured in numerous films and integral to Kolkata’s identity, remains uncertain.