How Kolkata's unique yellow cabs are an icon of the city

Why Kolkata’s iconic yellow taxis are driving into an uncertain future

The Ambassador Classic cabs have been a mainstay of Kolkata life since they first rolled onto the streets in 1958 . Built by Hindustan Motors until 20 14, they’ve been called “King of Indian Roads” due to their reliability and prevalence. While thousands still ply the city ’s streets, advancing age, stricter emissions rules and competition from Ola and Uber mean their future is in doubt. That threat inspired Drew Hopper to capture the central role these cabs still play in the fabric of the city.

Ways to go: Captured from the rooftop of an apartment building overlooking a main road in Burrabazar, this image depicts two historic means of transportation in Kolkata: the Ambassador Classic and the city's tram line. Run by Calcutta Tramways Company since 1902, this is the only metropolitan tram system still operating in India.

Colour and Chaos: Burrabazar is a bustling area, home to one of the largest wholesale markets in India. The congestion on the streets is quite a sight, especially when viewed from above.

Braking for a Break: A taxi driver takes time out to read the newspaper on the hood of his Ambassador Classic. Despite its hustle, Kolkata's relatively slower pace can be a refreshing change, especially after spending time in other parts of India.

The Road Ahead: A quiet street in Shobhabazar, north Kolkata. The man is sitting on a rickshaw, which, like the yellow cabs, is facing an uncertain future in the city.

Headed for Retirement: Broken-down Ambassador Classics are an increasingly common sight. Due to their age, these cabs suffer from increasing mechanical issues - another reason they are slowly vanishing from the streets.

Riding Like a King: One of the best times to be out exploring Kolkata is in the early hours of the morning. Sitting in the back of an Ambassador Classic when the traffic flows smoothly and the light is gilded is an experience in itself.

This article was originally published in the October 2018 issue of Silkwinds magazine.