To address traffic congestion caused by slapdash passenger pick-ups, the city's Department of Transportation is establishing official taxi stands in central areas on a six-month trial basis.
The stands will have clear signs and dedicated waiting areas where taxis will be allowed two minutes to pick up and drop off passengers, according to Vietnam News. They will be located at 139 Nguyen Du in front of the Galaxy Cinema, 16 Alexandre de Rhodes, 29 Ly Tu Trong, 3 Han Thuyen and in front of the Children Hospital 2 as reported by Zing.
The stands will not prioritize any specific taxi company and instead operate according to a "first come, first served" system. Unlike other major cities, Saigon does not zone areas to provide for taxi-specific parking surrounding major public transit stations, tourist attractions, shopping areas or restaurants, which results in jostling and blocking of traffic.
One of Saigon's new taxi stands.
Major taxi companies such as Mai Linh and Vinsun support the initiative because it reduces their risks of getting fined for illegal parking, However, reasons for skepticism exist. Ta Long Hy, chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Taxi Drivers Association, and also director of Vinasun taxi firm, said that hundreds of stands would need to be built to accommodate the city's 11,000 licensed cabs. The plans do not seem to accommodate ride-sharing apps such as Grab, which have attracted a significant number of former taxi customers.
