An official from the transport department was quoted as saying by news agency PTI that the last Premier Padmini was registered as a black-and-yellow taxi on October 29, 2003, at the Tardeo RTO, which has jurisdiction over the city of Mumbai. These black-and-yellow taxis bid adieu to the city streets making way for newer models and app-based cab services.
A resident of Prabhadevi, Abdul Kareem Karsekar, who owns the last registered Premier Padmini taxi of Mumbai, bearing registration number MH-01-JA-2556, told PTI, “Yeh Mumbai ki shaan hai aur hamari jaan hai” (it is the pride of Mumbai and life of mine).
This move comes days after the last iconic double-decker buses of public transporter Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking was taken out of service due to the end of their 15-year codal life. Mumbaikars have been left heavy-hearted, following the retirement of two historic public carriers in a matter of weeks. Some people have even demanded to preserve at least one Premier Padmini on the road or in a museum.
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