I DISAGREE with some of the points raised in the letter, "Having more taxi stands won't solve problem" (my paper, May 29), because they do not take into consideration a number of facts.
Soon after the introduction of the $3 Central Business District surcharge, reporters from The Sunday Times carried out a survey on the availability of taxis in locations outside the restricted zone and found these areas to be well served by taxis.
However, a problem does exist around Shaw Centre - it is impossible for cabbies to drop or pick up passengers along Scotts Road because of the high volume of traffic and congested exits between minor roads and the main road.
For example, it is difficult for vehicles to exit Claymore Hill into Scotts Road because the left-most lane is a bus lane.
Drivers need to manoeuvre behind a long line of buses in order to turn left into the second lane of Scotts Road.
Such traffic congestion, caused by taxis, delivery lorries, public buses and private cars, will only get worse after the opening of Orchard Central and 313@Somerset.
Under such conditions, designated taxi stands in the CBD cannot meet passenger demand because vacant taxis cannot keep circling around until there is enough space for them to queue up at the already- crowded stands.
