Passengers must now use these stands to hail a taxi in District 1

Taxicabs in downtown Ho Chi Minh City will have to queue up for passengers at one of six designated taxi stands, according to a new plan effective this month.

The plan, which includes opening six taxi stands on multiple streets in the city center, has been approved by the municipal administration for a six-month pilot period starting on Monday.

The People’s Committee of District 1 will be responsible for selecting the developer of the project.

According to the plan, the taxi stands will include a queuing area where taxis can line up to wait for passengers.

The stands will work on a first-come, first-served basis, where the first taxi to arrive at the stand serves the first passenger to arrive and so on.

A regulator will also be available to help match passengers with their desired vehicle – a five-seater or eight-seater taxi – and ensure that all taxi operators have equal opportunity to pick up passengers.

The scheme has been welcomed by District 1 authorities and the Ho Chi Minh City Taxi Association as a good way to curb traffic jams at tourist spots in downtown areas.

Currently, taxis line up outside popular destinations in the city center to pick up passengers, causing traffic congestion.

Taxi operators and passengers will not have to pay a fee to use the service, as the developer will run advertisements to earn revenue.