Farewell Journey of the Classic Taxi Yellow
In Germany, the image of taxis has long been associated with a creamy ivory colour, adorned with white and yellow taxi signs on their roofs [3]. This tradition, rather than a legal mandate, has been the norm across the country, creating a recognizable and conventional taxi identity.
However, there are regional differences that have emerged over time. For instance, in more southerly states, black taxis are common, while the northern states tend to favour the creamy ivory hue [2]. These variations can also be attributed to company-specific choices.
Recently, Saxony-Anhalt has allowed its taxis to choose their own colours, and it seems that more than a third of the 16 federal states in Germany have followed suit. In Baden-Württemberg, Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, and Saxony-Anhalt, the taxi colour has been approved to be changed [1].
Despite this flexibility, the cream colour remains a popular choice among many operators in Germany. Michael Oppermann from BVTM notes that even with the option to choose different colours, many taxi operators still opt for the traditional light ivory [2].
The introduction of the light ivory colour in the early 70s was a strategic move aimed at improving the recognizability of taxis and providing a safety benefit [1]. Georg Leber, the federal transport minister of Germany at the time, ensured that taxis across the country were uniformly given this colour (RAL 1015) [1].
It's important to note that despite the regional changes, taxis must always remain identifiable as such. The corresponding signage and taxi light on the roof are still prescribed by law to ensure safety and convenience for passengers [3].
The new regulation in Saxony-Anhalt brings simplifications and economic advantages for taxi companies, but it does not affect the 54 million people in Germany who still live in areas where taxis are always beige [2]. In fact, around 29 million people live in a federal state without a fixed taxi colour [2].
Interestingly, Germany's taxi landscape has evolved significantly since the days when taxis were predominantly black due to the absence of air conditioning in cars, making them uncomfortably hot prior to 1971 [1]. Today, the taxi fleet commonly includes luxury-branded vehicles like Mercedes and Audi, following tradition rather than colour regulations [3].
In conclusion, while the cream colour is the norm and widely used across Germany, there is no official, enforced uniform colour law. Regional differences in shades or markings may exist but are not prescribed by law. The traditional blue uniforms of German police officers stand in stark contrast to the evolving taxi landscape [3].
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