Goodbye, Fiat Taxis!
We just bid adieu to the 160 year old Telegram thisand now, Mumbai roads will no longer see the age-old, vintage and iconic Premier Padmini taxis.
According to the Mumbai Taximen’s Union, the city has nearly 10,000-11,000 Premier Padmini cabs and come 31st July, they will all be sold for scrap. This harsh decision came with a resolution passed by the Maharashtra Government in 2008, where the shelf life of these taxis were reduced from 25 to 20 years. The Fiat Taxi, popularly known as Premier Padmini have been deployed as a taxi since the 1970’s and now in 2013, they will breathe their last. But it is also a much needed exit as most taxis pollute and being old, very poorly maintained.
Along with fleet taxis, taxis of various Maruti brands like Zen, 800, Wagon R and Omni run through the streets of the city. And maybe ten years on, even Maruti 800 and Zen will become obsolete, to be sold for scrap and newer models will adorn us. Mumbai and taxis have always shared a love-hate relationship. And, Padmini or no, the journey will go on.