Adieu to Kolkata's Ambassador cabs
A few weeks ago, Maharashtra Government announced the decision to phases out close to 4500 Ambassador aka Premier Padmini taxis, older than 20 years from 1st August onwards. Now, the West Bengal government too has taken the decision to end the monopoly of metered Ambassador taxis.
The Bengal government has decided to allow more technologically advanced, spacious cabs on the road. The state will also extend the cash incentive of Rs.25000 to buyers of new taxis form promoting self-employment. While Maruti’s Wagon R and Tata Motor’s Indigo have been registered as metered taxis in West Bengal, Ambassador still ruled the streets of Bengal.
Amongst the new permits issued by the Bengal Transport Authority, nearly half are to be for air-conditioned taxis. Maruti’s Dzire has already started getting from potential AC cab owners. But all this aside, it is only a matter of wait and watch to decide whether Ambassador rules or other taxis get a chance. So the sight of the ubiquitous yellow ambassadors plying the roads of this metro will be a thing of the past too….