Owners of nearly 45,000 cabs in the city lost out on an opportunity to earn additional income after the state transport department rejected a proposal to allow advertisements on black and yellow cabs. Mumbai Taximen’s Union (MTU), city’s largest taxi union, had approached the transport department seeking its approval to display advertisements on the door panels.

“The proposal was rejected by the department after the traffic police felt it would create hindrance in spotting cabs since there is a distinct colour scheme,” said a transport department official on condition of anonymity. According to rough estimates, a cabbie can earn nearly Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000 per month by displaying advertisements on his cab.

On the other hand, the state government’s Fleet Taxi Scheme launched in October 2006, has allowed fleet taxi operators to display advertisements on door panels and on the boot of the cabs.

Meanwhile, the Union is again planning to approach the department to urge it to reconsider the proposal. “The reason given by the department is irrational. We have only asked the permission to display advertisements on door panels. There will not be any identification issues, if we do so. We are ready to put up a ‘Taxi’ board on the roof of cabs. In fact, this would prove to be an additional source of income for taxi drivers,” said A L Quadros, general secretary, MTU. He argued that even the state government would also earn through taxes, if it cleared the proposal.

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