Abdul Kareem Karsekar, a resident of Prabhadevi and the owner of the last registered Premier Padmini taxi, expressed his attachment to these taxis, calling them the pride of Mumbai.
This change comes shortly after the retirement of Mumbai’s legendary red double-decker diesel buses operated by BEST due to the end of their 15-year lifespan. This sudden retirement of two iconic modes of public transportation has left many in Mumbai feeling nostalgic, with some hoping that at least one Premier Padmini can be preserved on the road or in a museum.
In the past, efforts were made to preserve a ‘kaali-peeli’ taxi, but these attempts were unsuccessful. Many people remember Premier Padmini taxis fondly, and they have left an indelible mark on the city. Even though these taxis have become rare on the streets, they continue to hold a special place in the hearts and imagination of the people.
Mumbai now has more than 40,000 black-and-yellow cabs, a significant decrease from the roughly 63,000 that existed in the late 1990s, including the distinctive ‘blue and silver’ air-conditioned “cool cabs.”
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