When yellow-black taxis cruised the roads of Madras

In the late 1920s, taxis began to appear on the roads of Madras, though they never gained widespread popularity as a mode of transport compared to the bustling cities of Bombay and Calcutta. The first taxi service in Madras consisted of thirteen companies, with S Muthiah listing five more names between 1935 and 1937. All the taxis used Chevrolet Standard Sedans.

Post-independence, Madras saw a rise in the use of local brands such as the Standard 10 and Herald, as well as Baby Austins, which led to the concept of baby taxis. The debate over whether the taxis were Chevrolet Fleetmaster or Standard Vanguard persists, possibly due to unclear footage. Yellow and black were mandated for taxis as of March 5, 1960, with drivers required to wear specific attire and maintain trip sheets.

However, taxis faced challenges like refusing to go to certain areas due to uncertainty of return fares. The prevalence of taxis in Madras was evident, especially outside major stations like Egmore and Central, and they even inspired a classic film. By 2023, there were only 304 yellow taxis left in the city, replaced by app-based services and prepaid options.