Taxi rides between Singapore and Malaysia are about to get a whole lot easier! Thanks to a recent agreement between Singapore’s Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow and Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke, new rules are set to transform cross-border taxi services.
Key Changes Announced
- The quota for licensed cross-border taxis will double from 200 to 500.
- Effective immediately, foreign taxis can drop off passengers anywhere in the other country.
- An initial increase of 100 taxis will be prioritised for larger, premium vehicles catering to business travellers.
These changes are part of a broader initiative discussed during the 12th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat on 4 December 2024, aligning with the growing demand for efficient cross-border transport services.
Improving Accessibility
Currently, cross-border taxis are limited to specific pick-up and drop-off points—Ban San Street Terminal in Singapore and Larkin Sentral in Malaysia. With the new regulations, not only will passenger drop-offs be more flexible, but the number of designated pick-up points will also be expanded in due course.
In a bid to curb illegal domestic trips, taxis will still be required to pick passengers only from these designated locations. Licensed taxis must be identifiable by their livery, have tamper-proof vehicle plates, and install Singapore’s ERP2 On-Board Unit to enter Singapore.
Long-Term Goals
This overhaul forms part of ongoing discussions to also develop a regulatory framework for cross-border ride-hailing and e-hailing services. Both transport ministries are committed to enhancing safety measures, including improved insurance coverage and expedited claims processing for accidents involving cross-border taxis.
In a statement, Yeo Wan Ling, MP for Punggol GRC and advisor to the National Taxi Association, expressed strong support for these advancements. She highlighted the potential for rising market opportunities, stating, “These enhancements and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone will open up larger market opportunities for our cabbies, allowing more taxi drivers to tap on the growing demand for cross-border transport.”
Conclusion
With these promising updates, travellers can expect a more seamless experience when crossing between Singapore and Malaysia by taxi. Both the Singapore and Malaysia transport ministries are dedicated to collaborating closely on the implementation of these enhancements, ensuring that commuters have access to efficient and convenient services.