We’ve noticed an uptick recently in social media comments by travellers needing to cross the border between Malaysia and Singapore, where the destination is not easily accessible by using either the shuttle train or buses plying fixed routes. They usually receive many responses from drivers offering all sorts of services. Problem is, there is no real way of knowing if these are legitimate operators or not. This is also important as there is a Cross-Border Taxi Scheme in place and drivers must be licenced to offer this service. The service has been enhanced following discussions between the Transport Ministries of Malaysia and Singapore and the following Statement released on 30th April 2026. It is reproduced in full below, with links to the Annexes mentioned in the Statement. All the Annexes will open in a new tab.
Joint Statement by the Ministry of Transport, Singapore and Ministry of Transport, Malaysia
Enhancements to Cross-Border Taxi Scheme to Benefit Travellers and Facilitate Fairer Competition between Transport Providers
- From 4th May 2026, the cross-border taxi services between Singapore and Malaysia will be enhanced to bring greater convenience to travellers while ensuring fair operating conditions for transport providers and drivers in both countries.
2. Following the 12th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat held in December 2025, officials from Ministry of Transport (Singapore), Ministry of Transport (Malaysia), the Land Transport Authority (LTA) of Singapore, and Land Public Transport Agency of Malaysia (Agensi Pengangkutan Awam Darat or APAD) have been working closely towards an agreement and implementation of enhancements to cross-border taxi services.
Enhancing Cross-Border Taxi Services
3. LTA and APAD will implement the following enhancements to the Cross-Border Taxi Scheme from 4th May 2026.
a. Enhanced Convenience for Travellers: Licensed taxis will be allowed to drop off passengers anywhere in Singapore, and anywhere in the following areas in Malaysia: Johor Bahru, Iskandar Puteri, Forest City, Kulai and Senai. Please refer to Annex A for a map of the operating areas.
Taxis will be able to pick up passengers in their home country without restrictions, as is the case today. Taxis in the foreign country will only be able to pick up passengers from three new designated pick-up points via ride-hail/e-hailing bookings.
Note: Taxis are not allowed to wait at the three new designated pick-up points in each country. They should wait at designated holding areas for their next ride-hail trip assignment. Pick-ups are not permitted at the holding areas. Please refer to Annex B for the designated pick-up points.
Commuters may refer to LTA’s and APAD’s websites for updates to the list of cross-border platform operators.
Street-hail and ride-hail will continue to be allowed at Ban San Street Terminal and Larkin Terminal as per the current practice.
b. Fares: Please refer to Annex C for the fares applicable to the different categories of vehicles for street-hail pick-up from Ban San Street Terminal and Larkin Terminal and the list of taxi models for Standard 6-seater and Premium 6-seater.
c. Increased supply of cross-border taxis: For a start, each country will provide an additional quota of 100 taxis, up from the existing 200 from each country. The additional quota will be used for larger and more premium vehicles that address the needs of larger families/groups and business travellers. This will provide a wider range of vehicles including the Standard 4-seater (similar to current taxis), Standard 6-seater and Premium 6-seater categories for travellers. The aim is to gradually increase this quota to 500 from each country.
d. To support enforcement against illegal domestic point-to-point trips: Licensed taxis must be clearly identifiable by livery, predefined prefix for vehicle plate (see Annex D) and taxi topper signage when operating in the foreign country. Taxis must also install a device, as required by the foreign country, to enable enforcement when entering that country. Note: Malaysian taxis will be required to install Singapore’s ERP2 on-board unit for entry into Singapore.
e. To protect passengers and other road users: Vehicles used must not be more than 10 years old. Note: The age of the vehicle is based on the initial date of registration of the vehicle indicated in the vehicle registration document.
f. No vacant carriage entry into foreign country: To enter the foreign country, the taxi shall carry at least one passenger when entering Singapore or Malaysia, except during the exemption periods for vacant carriage entry:
-
- Fridays, 12.00pm to 12.00am for Malaysia-registered taxis into Singapore.
- Sundays, 12.00pm to 12.00am for Singapore-registered taxis into Malaysia.
Supporting Local Drivers and Passengers
4. These enhancements reflect both countries’ commitment to providing commuters with safe, reliable cross-border transport options whilst protecting the livelihoods of local drivers against illegal services. The improvements will benefit the strong business linkages and people-to-people ties between Singapore and Malaysia.
5. Mr Ng Lang, Chief Executive of the Land Transport Authority, said: “We are pleased to announce these enhancements to the Cross-Border Taxi Scheme, which will provide greater convenience and better connectivity for travellers between Singapore and Malaysia. We look forward to working closely with our Malaysian counterparts and industry partners to ensure the successful implementation of these enhancements.”
6. Mr Ahmad Radhi bin Maarof, Director General of the Land Public Transport Agency, commented that “These enhancements to the Cross-Border Taxi Scheme mark a significant step forward in strengthening the transport connectivity between Malaysia and Singapore. APAD remains committed to working hand in hand with LTA and all relevant stakeholders to ensure a successful delivery of these improvements. The movement of people across the Causeway is a vital thread in the fabric of our bilateral relationship, and we are determined to make that experience as smooth and convenient as possible. We hope to deepening this collaboration further, by looking into more ways to ease the flow of travellers moving forward.”
MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, SINGAPORE
MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, MALAYSIA
30th APRIL 2026
This Post Has 0 Comments