Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

Where have all the taxis gone?

Sandhya Soman

Once ubiquitous, the dwindling breed has given way to autorickshaws

Endangered species: The old black and yellow taxis like these parked at Central Railway Station, are slowly disappearing from the city roads. — Photo: K. Pichumani.

CHENNAI: In the 1960s and `70s they had the run of the road. Now the yellow and black metered taxis have run out of steam.

From a nearly 10,000-strong fleet, the number has fallen to 300 or 400.

The decline of the taxi began with the advent of autorickshaws, says S. Thangam. "I started driving taxis in 1963 when there were three types — baby, medium and big," the 63-year-old taxi driver recalls.

Baby Fiats and Standards used to ferry businessmen and actors while Ambassadors and Landmasters were summoned if there were more passengers. The "big" roomy Chevrolets and Dodges waited at the Central Station for passengers with luggage.

"People used to ask specifically for baby or medium taxis. There was a lot of trust and we never tampered with meters," Mr. Thangam says.

Once autorickshaws stormed on to the scene, the taxis did not stand a chance.

"Petrol prices rose sharply in the early 70s," says M.K. Subramanian, secretary of the Automobile Association of Southern India.

Middleclass preference

It was during this time that the middleclass moved away from "pricey" taxis to affordable autos, he says.

"Now, people consider it beneath their dignity to travel in a yellow-and-black taxi with a meter," he says.

Instead, they prefer call taxis or tourist cabs, says Dayalan, who drives one of the few old-world taxis parked at the Egmore Railway Station whenever he gets a "savari."

"There are nearly 200 such taxis at the airport, some 20 at the Central Station, 13 vehicles at Egmore and four to five outside some star hotels," says Mr. Dayalan.

But some things do not change. Twenty years ago he used to earn Rs. 200 a day. He earns the same even today.

At the Central Station, a group of drivers squat near the pre-paid taxi and auto booths, complaining that both their cars and careers have not taken off in a long time.

They know only too well that they are a dwindling breed.

"Like old fashion, the black-and-yellow taxis have gone out to die a natural death," says Mr. Subramanian.

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