AZE.US
Taxi drivers in Baku are complaining that dedicated taxi stands are being reduced in areas with heavy passenger traffic, with some locations being turned into paid parking zones instead.
The issue is most visible near metro stations, shopping areas, schools, medical facilities and other busy points where demand for taxis remains steady throughout the day. Drivers say that in some of these locations, it is now difficult not only to wait for passengers, but even to stop briefly for pickup or drop-off.
According to drivers, some areas that previously had taxi stand signs have since lost them. The same spaces are now marked for paid parking, they say.
One driver said that if a taxi remains in a paid parking area for 8 to 10 hours a day, even a rate of 70 qəpik per hour takes a noticeable part of daily earnings. Others said that stopping to pick up or drop off a passenger can lead to fines of 40 or 80 manats.
Drivers argue that the problem could be eased if part of certain parking areas were reserved for several taxis, while the rest remained available for regular vehicles. They say the current arrangement creates problems for drivers, passengers and traffic management alike: demand exists, but an organized taxi point is often missing.
In response to Xəzər Xəbər, the relevant transport authority said Baku currently has designated space for 550 taxis at 107 locations.
Officials said a comprehensive approach is being applied and that new taxi stand locations are being identified based on citizen requests and traffic analysis. Once agreed with the relevant agencies, those points are installed.
The new taxi stands and pickup-drop-off areas are mainly planned around schools, medical institutions, shopping centers and transport interchange hubs.
Officials also said that special traffic lanes include places where vehicles, including taxis, can pick up and drop off passengers. So far, such points have been organized on 16 streets and avenues, covering 27 locations.
Work to create new taxi stands and pickup-drop-off zones is continuing, the authority said.
AZE.US