Mumbai’s Iconic Black-and-Yellow Taxis Retire

Mumbai’s iconic black-and-yellow taxis called “Premier Padmini” took their last ride yesterday, on 30th October 2023. These black-and-yellow taxis were an important part of Mumbai during its sixty years of service. 

The transport department set the age limit of taxis in Mumbai as 20 years. The last black-and-yellow taxi was registered on October 29, 2003, and therefore was over the age limit. It belonged to Abdul Kareem Karsekar. 

These taxis were made in India from 1964 to 2001 by Premier Automobiles Limited. Launched under the name of Fiat 1100 Delight, it was renamed after the Indian queen Padmini in the 1970s. 

Earlier, the transport department decided to ban the famous red double-decker diesel buses from the road. These taxis are featured in many Bollywood movies. The people of Mumbai are requesting the government to keep one of the kaali-peeli taxis in a museum or on the road to honour it.