The year-end shopping season has begun, and if you are heading to Orchard Road to shop for your loved ones, be prepared to wait a little longer than usual at some taxi stands.

Here's a chart showing the waiting times at several Orchard Road taxi stands during the evening peak hours in Dec 2012, according to LTA's monthly survey.

A look at Land Transport Authority (LTA) monthly survey data from Jan 2011 to this October indicates spikes in evening waiting times every December.

The upside: The LTA says its taxi availability standards have led to 3 per cent to 4 per cent more cabs plying the roads on average this year compared to 2012. And starting next year, taxi companies must ensure that at least 80 per cent of their fleet are on the road during the morning and evening peak hours, up from 70 per cent this year.