Too few waiting zones for VFH during FIFA

Taxi stands create order, while random pickups create congestion, Khamseh says

by Christian Zdravko

Toronto’s newly released Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup 2026 Mobility Plan outlines how the city will manage Vehicles for Hire (VFH) during the FIFA World Cup through designated pickup and drop-off locations.

This corral system for FIFA was suggested by Taxi operator Behrouz Khamseh, who has been working as a liaison with the city to organize Taxi and rideshare during the World Cup. He says that the right system will minimize chaos on heavily congested roads and hostility between drivers, passengers and pedestrians during the games.

“Taxis have a major operational advantage during large events because they can operate through organized Taxi stands. Vehicles line up in one designated area, passengers approach the stand, and the first Taxi deploys immediately,” Khamseh told Taxi News.

“This system avoids the confusion of the vehicle circulating around the venue, trying to locate passengers. With app-based services, drivers must identify a specific passenger through an app, which often leads to vehicles stopping, waiting and creating congestion around the venue. During the event, where thousands of people leave at the same time, an organized Taxi queue system can move passengers much faster and more efficiently.”

Toronto has designated three pickup and drop-off corrals for Taxi and rideshare; Allan A. Lamport Stadium on 1155 King Street West;  54 Douro Street;  and beside Front Street West at Bathurst Street. Khamseh says he does not think three is enough to accommodate the demand.

Between Taxi and app-based services like Uber and Lyft,  Khamseh believes the city favours the latter, and he suspects it is because the city earns a small commission per trip taken with rideshare; a trip fee of $0.35 plus $0.10 to cover the Accessibility Fund Program.

Overall, Khamseh recommends Taxis over apps like Uber and Lyft, arguing they are safer, and that Taxi drivers have a better understanding of city streets. He believes that the city restricting the number of Vehicles for Hire in the area would lead to less congestion, and a more organized commute to and from events.

During a presentation with city council on March 10, Khamseh discussed the merits that Taxis have over app services like Uber, Lyft, and Hopp.

More stringent regulations and in-vehicle cameras in Taxis offer a level of security that does not exist for rideshare, Khamseh says.

With the World Cup attracting so many visitors unfamiliar with Toronto, offering easily identifiable and highly-monitored transportation vehicles like Taxis creates a safer and more efficient environment, according to Khamseh. “Taxi stands create order, while random pickups create congestion.”

American corporations like Uber and Lyft and other app-based services like Hopp are expected to be priced significantly higher than usual due to surge pricing during the World Cup. Traditional Taxi services do not face this issue, but may cost more than they normally would because of time spent in traffic.

Councillor Ausma Malik of the Spadina-Fort York ward, where Toronto is hosting the FIFA World Cup events, said she is focusing on creating an optimal experience for the city: “My priority is that our downtown communities along with Torontonians from every corner of the city can enjoy and benefit from this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and to do that while safely navigating their neighbourhoods before, during and after the games.”