Taipei has designated 38 public temporary parking spaces as part of efforts to provide more legal stopping zones following the tightening of traffic rules last year.
Changes to the traffic violation point system that went into effect on June 30 last year have been met with heavy criticism from motorists who say there are not enough places to stop temporarily, resulting in unfair demerits.
Since then, the Taipei Department of Transportation has changed 236 roadway sections to allow for temporary parking.
Photo: Tsai Ssu-pei, Taipei Times
It has also recently designated 38 public temporary parking spaces in 18 areas citywide, intended to provide a legal stopping zone for taxis, delivery trucks and other professional drivers for up to three minutes.
It is the first time the city has designated temporary parking spots for broad use.
However, some professional drivers say the parking spaces must become ubiquitous if they are to have any use.
One taxi driver said that passengers are used to calling cabs from the side of the road, so unless many more are designated, drivers will still be fined.
The department said that priority would be given to such multiple-use stopping zones in future renovations, with plans to make 100 by the end of the year.
Local borough offices may also request areas to set up stopping areas, it said.
As they become more common, passengers are to become more used to boarding taxis from designated stopping zones, it added.
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