No more khaki for taxiwallahs: Mumbai cabbies will now be in white uniform

The good old khaki uniform for taxiwallahs in Mumbai is soon going to be a thing of the past. According to a report in the Mumbai Mirror, cabbies in the city will soon switch to a white uniform, the Maharashtra Transport Department has ruled. [caption id=“attachment_1768681” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Total makeover. Reuters[/caption] The British had introduced rules for drivers operating public transport in Mumbai - those plying auto-rickshaws and taxis should be dressed in khaki uniform. If the driver owned the vehicle he should be wearing white, the rule said. In 2007, the Transport department amended the law making the khaki uniform - half sleeve shirt and khaki trouser - compulsory. A general body meeting of all the cab drivers was called and they decided on the white-coloured uniform. “It is a sign of dignity. Unlike earlier days most of the cabbies now are an educated lot, including graduates. It will add respect and pride while doing work,” general secretary of Mumbai Taximen’s Union Anthony L Quadros told Mumbai Mirror. Smaller unions, though, were of the opinion that khaki uniforms were best suited for cab drivers in the city.

“White clothes tend to get dirty quickly,” Kamlesh Pande, a cabbie told Mumbai Mirror. “But now that a majority of our people have agreed on white, we will have to abide by the rules,” he added. 

But young and new drivers prefer the white uniform, asserted Quadros. In the age of fleet cabs, the ‘black and yellow’ taxis need to up their game. “We need to look dignified. That is the demand of the industry we are in,” Quadros told the daily. The existing rule under the Maharashtra Motor Vehicle Act stipulates a fine of Rs 100 if the driver is not in his uniform.