The Land Transport Authority (LTA) wishes to explain that the principal reason for the new rule is safety. Sudden stopping and haphazard lane changes by taxis along heavily used roads to pick up or alight passengers pose a danger to passengers and other road users.

Furthermore, with more bus lanes, taxi drivers will find it increasingly difficult to stop along the roads in the CBD. Similarly, passengers will find it more difficult to hail a taxi along the roads. Requiring taxi drivers to stop at taxi stands in the CBD therefore improves the availability of taxis at taxi stands.

Before implementing the rule, the LTA consulted taxi companies and the Taxi Operators' Associations, which expressed support for the rule. Such a rule is not unique. Street hailing of taxis is not allowed in major thoroughfares in the downtown area in Hong Kong and Tokyo, and in some cities in the United States and Australia.

We appreciate that this new rule, while enhancing safety, could inconvenience some taxi passengers. To address this, we have worked closely with the Taxi Operators' Associations and taxi companies to identify and create additional taxi stands in the CBD, so there is a stand within 300m or less than a five-minute walk from any building in the CBD.

We recognise there are still practical issues on the ground that need looking into. This is why we will be flexible in enforcing the new taxi rule during initial implementation. We assure passengers, drivers and businesses we will continue to take in feedback, from the Taxi Operators' Associations and the public, on providing more taxi stands at popular destinations like hotels and government buildings.

The LTA, with the Taxi Operators' Associations and taxi companies, are monitoring the situation closely, and will make adjustments to improve the scheme and minimise inconvenience to passengers.

Jeremy Yap
Acting Group Director, Vehicle and Transit Licensing
Land Transport Authority