Taxis are sometimes more than just a mode of transportation; they can become cultural emblems of the cities they serve. Some cities boast unique taxis that are as iconic as its landmarks. From the cobbled streets of London to the bustling avenues of Tokyo taxis offer a glimpse into the tapestry of their locales. And whether it’s in and from Karachi to King’s Hill, taxis are part of life for millions of people. Let’s start the meter on a journey through some of the most iconic taxis around the world.
#5 Classic Americans – Havana
In the 1950s Americans came to Cuba to enjoy the sun, the sand, the booze and the parties. And they brought their cars with them – large, flashy, chrome-plated, tail-finned monsters representing the glitz and glamour of the time. Then the Cuban Revolution came. The Castro government repurposed them as state-owned taxis. With a trade embargo in place, no new cars could be imported and neither could spare parts. Cubans had to improvise to keep the American iron going as long as possible.
Today there are around 60,000 pre-1959 American cars in Cuba. While they are known for their colourful paint schemes and gleaming chrome, many of them lost their American V8 engines and automatic transmissions years ago, replaced by drivetrains sourced from Russian cars, trucks and even tractors. None the less, this has made them a unique part of the Havana streetscape and a vital experience in any visit.
#4 Hindustan Ambassador – Kolkata
First-time visitors to India are usually bowled over by the sheer vibrancy and bustle of this fascinating country. And a key part of providing this in Kolkata are the 10,000 or so Hindustan Ambassadors that roam the streets. India’s most popular car for much of the 20th century, the ‘Amby’ started life as a Morris Oxford, built in the UK. When production ended, the design was sold to Hindustan Motors, which made the car from 1957 to 2014.
The bulbous vintage styling and modest performance was all part of the charm, but the Amby won legions of fans due to its rugged construction, good ride and a spacious cabin with enough headroom to accommodate a turban. Ambassadors were the default choice for taxis all over India, but Kolkata is one of the type’s last holdouts, still loping around the streets in their yellow-with-blue-stripe colour scheme.
#3 Tuk-Tuk – Bangkok
These three-wheeled devices are properly called autorickshaws, but in Thailand they’re called Tuk-Tuks after the distinctive engine sound and the name as spread around the world. Combining the capacity of a car with the compact size of a motorcycle, a Tuk-Tuk can weave through the typically chaotic traffic of Bangkok and zip down narrow side streets and alleys.
A Tuk-Tuk ride is a full-sense experience, bringing you all the sights, sounds and smells of the city as you go. You may well need a good sense of adventure, not to mention balance, as Tuk-Tuk drivers are renowned for driving their vehicles as fast as possible and they are not afraid to take corners at what feels like breakneck speed to get through a gap in traffic. You’ll also be amazed how many people and objects a Thai family can cram into a single Tuk-Tuk that supposedly is built for just two passengers!
#2 Yellow Cab – New York City
Yellow Cabs have been roaming the streets of the Big Apple since 1907, and there are currently over 13,500 of them at work – so there are more Yellow Cabs in NYC than private cars. They are an international icon, appearing in countless movies, TV shows and music videos. They are equally famous for their characterful drivers, who are often immigrants from all over the world and equally often are not shy about giving out information or opinions!
The 1950s-style Checker Marathon was the typical NYC Yellow Cab for many years, giving way to the equally all-American Ford Crown Victoria in the 1980s. These large, comfortable, V8-powered gas-guzzlers can still be seen and ridden in large numbers but they were supplanted by the more modern and efficient but much less popular Nissan NV200 minivan in 2011. Now NYC cab drivers can choose from a wider list of car types…but they still have to be yellow.
#1 Black Cab- London
Officially called the Hackney Carriage, the Black Cab is the descendant of the Victorian horse-drawn cab so often used by Sherlock Holmes. Black Cabs have made their own iconic appearances in films and TV over the years, and there are 15,000 on London’s streets today. They are still specially-designed for the job to strict specifications. At the moment a new generation of eco-friendly hybrid and electric Black Cabs is entering service, but still with the distinctive shape and tight turning circle.
Just as crucial to the experience is the London cabbie. They still have to pass The Knowledge, a gruelling test requiring committing 325 routes, 25,000 streets and even more points of interest. It is the world’s most demanding taxi test and actually reshapes a cabbie’s brain due to the specialised abilities it develops!
Lily James