Aze.US
Taxi drivers in Baku report growing difficulty finding legal places to stop and pick up passengers, highlighting infrastructure pressures as ride demand and the number of operating taxis continue to increase across the city.
Drivers say designated taxi stands are often occupied by private vehicles, forcing them to stop elsewhere and risk fines or disputes with customers. The issue is described as particularly acute near shopping centers, metro stations, and major markets, where passenger turnover is high but stopping space is limited.
Urban transport specialists link the problem to rapid expansion of taxi services without parallel infrastructure growth. They argue that the number and placement of taxi stands should better reflect real demand and that enforcement is needed to prevent unauthorized parking in dedicated zones.
Officials state that Baku currently provides stopping capacity for around 550 taxis across 147 locations, with additional stands being identified based on public feedback and traffic analysis. New pickup and drop-off points are also being introduced near universities, commercial areas, and transport hubs.
Authorities add that 27 passenger pickup zones have already been organized on 16 streets and avenues, while further expansion is underway as part of broader urban mobility planning.
Penalties remain in place for violations: parking non-taxi vehicles in taxi stands carries a 40-manat fine and penalty points, while stopping in a second traffic lane results in an 80-manat fine and additional points.
The situation underscores a wider urban policy challenge facing fast-growing cities – how to integrate on-demand transport services into limited street space without disrupting traffic flow or passenger access.