Ten new taxi stands were set up at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport yesterday to relieve traffic congestion outside the terminals, as the number of passengers traveling through the airport continues to expand.

Previously, there were only two taxi stands at the airport, one for people making short trips and one for travelers making longer trips. The stands will no longer be divided that way, officials with the city's airport authority said.

The new stands are part of a three-month renovation of the airport aimed at improving traffic flow around the two terminals.

The renovation, which cost 4.96 million yuan (US$620,000), covers an area of 4,500 square meters around the terminals.

There are now six taxi stands outside each of the airport terminals. Roads running alongside the terminals were also expanded so that they can handle more vehicles.

The five-lane road leading to Terminal B has been expanded to 10 lanes, allowing faster traffic flow.

The seven-lane road near Terminal A has also been expanded to 10 lanes.

After the renovation, some lanes will be restricted to taxis and buses to increase traffic efficiency.

The previously scattered bus stops at the terminals have all been arranged to two bus stops in front of the Terminal A, which is closer to the city's downtown. Besides, the traffic guiding system near the terminals has also been upgraded, giving clear instructions to passengers.

Last year, 14.9 million people flew into or out of the airport, up 50 percent from 2003. More than 8 million passengers used the airport during the first half of this year. The airport was designed to handle 9.8 million passengers a year.

(Shanghai Daily December 27, 2005)