𝐘𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐮 𝐓𝐚𝐱𝐢 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐁𝐓𝐀 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

…𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒛𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒂𝒙𝒊 𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒕𝒚, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒏𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝑩𝑻𝑨 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒔 𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚𝒘𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏

By Tshering Penjor

The introduction of yellow line markings at the City Bus Taxi Parking in Thimphu has significantly improved taxi operations, bringing long-awaited order and clarity to a facility that had struggled for years with congestion, inefficiency, and frequent disputes. The initiative, implemented following a formal request from the Bhutan Taxi Association (BTA) and supported by the Thimphu Thromde Office, has enhanced operational efficiency, improved safety standards, and increased convenience for both taxi operators and commuters using the facility on a daily basis.

The yellow line markings were carried out with the involvement of the Thimphu Dzongkhag Taxi Coordinator and relevant committees, reflecting a coordinated and collaborative effort among key stakeholders responsible for urban transport management in the capital. According to the BTA, more than 1,000 taxi drivers who regularly operate from the City Bus Taxi Parking area are directly benefiting from the improved layout and clearer organization of the space.

Taxi drivers say the newly designated parking system has brought much-needed clarity to what was previously a chaotic and stressful environment. Before the markings were introduced, taxis often parked haphazardly, leading to congestion, unclear turn-taking, and frequent misunderstandings among drivers competing for passengers. With clearly demarcated taxi ranks now in place, congestion has been reduced, confusion over queuing has been eliminated, and conflicts among drivers have significantly declined.

Sonam Thinley, a taxi driver with nearly two decades of experience operating in Thimphu, said the positive impact of the initiative was felt almost immediately after implementation.

“Earlier, taxis were all mixed up, and drivers often got heated with one another regarding parking order, space, and passengers,” he said. “After the yellow lines were drawn, the smooth flow of vehicles began from the very next day. There is no more shouting or confusion. Disputes have reduced, making the system fairer for drivers and much more convenient and safer for passengers.”

Commuters have also welcomed the improvements, noting that the organized taxi ranks have made it easier to locate available vehicles. With taxis now aligned according to designated markings, passengers no longer have to search through congested areas to find a ride, reducing waiting times and improving overall convenience, particularly during peak travel hours. The orderly movement of vehicles has also enhanced safety by easing congestion and minimizing traffic disruptions around the busy transport hub.

BTA and taxi representatives noted that the initiative aligns closely with the Taxi Rank System under the Bhutan Construction and Transport Authority (BCTA) rules, which are designed to ensure systematic, transparent, and passenger-friendly taxi operations across the country. The yellow line markings have reinforced these regulations in a practical and visible way, allowing the parking area to function more efficiently while promoting discipline and fairness among drivers.

Tshering Penjor, Executive Director of the Bhutan Taxi Association, expressed his appreciation to the Thimphu Thromde for its timely response and continued cooperation. He said that simple and practical interventions such as this play an important role in supporting taxi drivers’ livelihoods while simultaneously improving urban mobility for the public.

“The yellow line markings are a simple but effective solution that benefits both taxi operators and the public,” he said. “It has improved discipline among drivers and made taxi services more accessible and efficient for passengers.”

The initiative also supports Thimphu Thromde’s broader transport and infrastructure development goals. These goals include improving access to economic and social opportunities, providing reliable, safe, and environmentally friendly public transport services, and reducing congestion, noise, and air pollution within the city. The Thromde has emphasized the importance of collective collaboration with various stakeholders, including transport associations and local communities, to promote sustainable infrastructure that meets the changing needs of society while enhancing urban safety and encouraging a gradual shift toward sustainable mobility.

Looking ahead, the Bhutan Taxi Association plans to propose the expansion of designated taxi parking areas to other strategic locations across Thimphu. The proposed expansion aims to ease traffic congestion in busy commercial and residential areas while providing dedicated and well-organized pickup and drop-off spaces throughout the city. Such measures are expected to further improve traffic flow and enhance the overall commuter experience.

In addition to infrastructure improvements, the BTA is preparing to launch a mobile application for online taxi bookings, which is expected to be introduced in May. The app will initially focus on long-distance tours before gradually expanding to cover local inter- and intra-dzongkhag travel. The digital platform is intended to modernize taxi services while offering greater convenience and transparency for passengers.

According to Tshering, the mobile application will also support environmental sustainability efforts. “By reducing the need for taxis to roam in search of passengers, the app will help cut down unnecessary vehicle movement and fuel consumption,” he said, adding that the initiative aligns with Bhutan’s national commitment to remain carbon negative.

Taxi drivers have welcomed the proposed developments, noting that a combination of infrastructure improvements and digital solutions is essential to meet the evolving demands of urban transport. The Bhutan Taxi Association reiterated its gratitude to Thimphu Thromde for its collaboration, emphasizing that coordinated efforts between local authorities and service providers are key to addressing urban transport challenges. Stakeholders say initiatives such as the yellow line markings demonstrate how practical, low-cost interventions can deliver meaningful benefits for both operators and the public as Thimphu continues to grow and modernize.