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Don’t want yellow taxis to disappear? Bengal allows all light commercial vehicles to go yellow

  • West Bengal allows all light commercial vehicles to be painted yellow and registered as taxis for Kolkata
  • New policy permits three-to-six-passenger vehicles of any model to receive yellow taxi permits, boosting availability
  • Policy modernizes Kolkata’s yellow taxi fleet while addressing environmental concerns and phasing out older vehicles

24 Jan 2025

Don’t want yellow taxis to disappear? Bengal allows all light commercial vehicles to go yellow

The West Bengal government has approved a new policy that permits all light commercial vehicles to be painted yellow and registered as taxis in Kolkata. This decision comes as a response to the dwindling number of traditional yellow taxis in the city, particularly the iconic Ambassador model, and aims to preserve the city’s historical transport identity while modernizing the fleet.

Introduced in 1962, Kolkata’s yellow taxis have long been associated with the Hindustan Motors Ambassador, a vehicle that became synonymous with the city’s transport system. However, production of the Ambassador ceased in 2014, and the vehicle's growing age combined with environmental regulations limiting the operational lifespan of older vehicles has led to a significant decrease in the yellow taxi fleet. By 2023, the number of yellow taxis had fallen from 18,000 to approximately 7,000, and further decommissioning of older vehicles was expected.

Under the new directive, issued by Transport Secretary Soumitra Mohan, any light commercial vehicle capable of carrying three to six passengers will be eligible for a taxi permit, provided it is painted yellow. The policy lifts the previous restrictions that required taxis to be specific models, such as the Ambassador, and opens up the taxi fleet to a broader range of vehicles, including newer, more fuel-efficient models.

The policy change also aligns with the state’s environmental goals. It allows for the introduction of modern vehicles that comply with emission standards, addressing concerns related to pollution in the city. At the same time, the introduction of newer vehicles aims to meet the growing demand for taxis while reducing the strain on the remaining fleet of older yellow taxis. The move is expected to prevent further shortages in taxi availability, especially as older vehicles are retired due to their age and pollution control regulations.

This directive, which opens the door for a wider variety of vehicles to join the city’s taxi service, aims to balance the preservation of Kolkata’s yellow taxi tradition with the need for modern and sustainable transportation. The change is expected to lead to a gradual increase in the number of yellow taxis on the streets, helping to meet the demands of the city’s residents and visitors while maintaining the iconic status of the yellow taxi in Kolkata.

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Don’t want yellow taxis to disappear?
West Bengal allows all light commercial vehicles to be painted yellow and registered as taxis for Kolkata





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