The black and yellow Padmini taxi is closely associated with Mumbai just like how the Volkswagen Beetle taxi is linked to Mexico City or the Checker cab was widespread in New York. Some people didn’t like it while others had a romantic attachment to it. The Padmini or a similar car was made in Mumbai from 1964 to 2000 by Premier Automobiles. In the 1970s it became popular among taxi drivers because it was cheaper easier to drive and more manoeuvrable than its main rival the bulky Hindustan Ambassador. For regular people it was affordable and had a sporty look in a tightly regulated car market.
The iconic black and yellow Premier Padmini taxis in Mumbai have been a part of the city’s streets for 60 years, but now, they are being phased out. The company that made these taxis has closed down and the last of them will stop running on Monday.
Premier Padmini taxis were known for their spacious seating, unique steering gear, and safety features both in the front and back. These taxis even had a special place in Bollywood films.
Many people in Mumbai have a strong emotional connection to these taxis but with the introduction of new cab services with modern apps, the old black-and-yellow taxis are disappearing.
The last Premier Padmini taxi was registered on October 29, 2003 and according to the rules in Mumbai, taxis can only operate for 20 years. So officially the Premier Padmini taxis won’t be on the streets of Mumbai anymore.
Some people have asked that at least one Premier Padmini taxi be preserved in a museum or on the streets as a symbol of Mumbai’s history, but this request hasn’t been granted by the government.
In 2008 the government of Maharashtra state in India decided that taxis older than 25 years had to be gradually taken out of service which marked the beginning of the end for the Padmini taxi. During its heyday in the 1990s there were about 58,000 Padmini taxis operating in Mumbai. today there are only around 9,000 left.
The taxi drivers who still use Padmini like them because they are inexpensive and easy to maintain, and they believe these cars can last a very long time. On the other hand most passengers prefer to ride in newer and more modern taxis.
Even though most people might not miss the old and cramped Padmini taxis some private collectors are starting to show interest in them. These collectors see value in preserving these classic cars.
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