Mumbai's Iconic 'Premier Padmini' Taxis Ended Its Journey After 6 Decades (Image: Pixabay)

Mumbai”s iconic Premier Padmini taxis, also popularly known as “Kaali-Peeli”, disappeared from the roads on October 30, 2023. The iconic black-and-yellow taxis are phased out as the age limit for cabs in Mumbai is 20 years. For the people in Mumbai, these taxis were not just a mode of transport but an emotion.

According to a transport department official, the last Premier Padmini was registered as a taxi at the Tardeo RTO on October 29, 2003. As the 20-year age limit rule for taxis is strictly followed, Mumbai will no longer host their beloved “Kaali-Peeli”. The Premier Padmini arrived as a cab in the streets of Mumbai in 1964. This car, manufactured by Premier Automobiles Limited, debuted in India as Fiat 1100 Delight and in 1965, its name was changed to Premier President and it became Premier Padmini in 1974. Earlier in September, Mumbaikars bid adieu to the iconic red double-decker buses of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking. The double-decker buses, which were a vital part of Mumbai”s public transport system, have withdrawn from service as buses in service for 15 years in Mumbai have to be scrapped. These diesel-powered non-AC buses were introduced in 1937.

Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra gave a tribute to these Mumbai taxis and said that they carried tons of memories. “From today, the iconic Premier Padmini Taxi vanishes from Mumbai’s roads. They were clunkers, uncomfortable, unreliable, noisy. Not much baggage capacity either. But for people of my vintage, they carried tons of memories. And they did their job of getting us from point A to point B. Goodbye and alvida, kaali-peeli taxis. Thank you for the good time,” wrote Anand Mahindra on his X handle on October 30. Residents in Mumbai said that these black-and-yellow taxis have conquered a place in their imaginations and hearts.