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End of road for last Toyota Crown taxis

New emission rules meant most got scrapped and the remaining few are on the way out

Above: A crane flattening the Crown taxi at the Kheng Kheng scrapyard. — Above: A crane flattening the Crown taxi at the Kheng Kheng scrapyard.ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Transport operator ComfortDelGro’s Hyundai Sonata taxis parked at the company’s premises in Sin Ming Drive. — Transport operator ComfortDelGro’s Hyundai Sonata taxis parked at the company’s premises in Sin Ming Drive.ST PHOTO: SONG TAO

The decommissioning process begins when the selected taxi is driven to the company workshop in Sin Ming Drive. — The decommissioning process begins when the selected taxi is driven to the company workshop in Sin Ming Drive. ST PHOTO: SONG TAO

Mechanics Gao Fei (left), 32, and Yam Kang Min, 24, removing the engine of a Hyundai Sonata taxi. It takes them about an hour to complete the job. — Mechanics Gao Fei (left), 32, and Yam Kang Min, 24, removing the engine of a Hyundai Sonata taxi. It takes them about an hour to complete the job. ST PHOTO: SONG TAO

Moove media employees Chong Wee Siong (left), 37, and Lim Hua Seng, 36, covering the Sonata with vinyl stickers before it was sent to the Salvation Army’s Peacehaven Nursing Home last month. — Moove media employees Chong Wee Siong (left), 37, and Lim Hua Seng, 36, covering the Sonata with vinyl stickers before it was sent to the Salvation Army’s Peacehaven Nursing Home last month. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

The Sonata being towed from the ComfortDelGro workshop in Sin Ming Drive to its new home in Peacehaven Nursing Home, where it replaces the Toyota Crown cab for use in rehabilitative purposes. — The Sonata being towed from the ComfortDelGro workshop in Sin Ming Drive to its new home in Peacehaven Nursing Home, where it replaces the Toyota Crown cab for use in rehabilitative purposes. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

The parts of the Toyota Crown cab being dismantled at the Kheng Kheng scrapyard in Sungei Kadut. — The parts of the Toyota Crown cab being dismantled at the Kheng Kheng scrapyard in Sungei Kadut.ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

The parts of the Toyota Crown cab being dismantled at the Kheng Kheng scrapyard in Sungei Kadut. — The parts of the Toyota Crown cab being dismantled at the Kheng Kheng scrapyard in Sungei Kadut. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Parts of the Crown dismantled and left on the floor of the scrapyard. — Parts of the Crown dismantled and left on the floor of the scrapyard. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

The Toyota Crown on its way to being flattened by a crane at the Kheng Kheng scrapyard in Sungei Kadut. — The Toyota Crown on its way to being flattened by a crane at the Kheng Kheng scrapyard in Sungei Kadut. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Published:

Nov 5, 2018, 5:00 am SGT

Toyota Crown taxis were once the kings of the road here and ruled the streets in terms of numbers.

In 2006, there were about 19,000 Crowns - or 80 per cent of all taxis - on the roads at the time.

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