MALAYSIA-SINGAPORE CROSS-BORDER TAXI MOVE TO BOOST DRIVER EARNINGS, EFFICIENCY

By Nur Fatin Mohmad Kadenen

JOHOR BAHRU, Dec 17  (Bernama) -- The decision by Malaysia and Singapore to allow cross-border taxis to drop off passengers at any location outside their home country, is expected to increase both driver earnings and service efficiency.

Several taxi drivers view this move positively, anticipating a rise in the number of trips and greater flexibility in services, making it easier for passengers to travel across the border.

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However, drivers have raised concerns that require government attention, particularly regarding the restructuring of fare rates and the coordination of implementation on the ground.

Currently, a one-way trip from the designated pickup location, Larkin Sentral Terminal in Johor Bahru, to Ban San Terminal  in Singapore costs RM120, while a one-way journey from Singapore back to Johor Bahru is around SGD60.

Azmi Ahmad, a 54-year-old taxi driver from Tampoi, believes the current fare needs to be reviewed to reflect the distance of travel, ensuring fairness for both drivers and passengers.

“It’s only fair to reassess the fares, as taxis will now be dropping off passengers further than before. The fares should reflect the reality of the longer journey,” said Azmi, who has been a taxi driver for over 20 years.

Yusof Salleh, 56, another taxi driver, echoed the sentiment, stressing the need for clear guidelines to avoid confusion and ensure fair competition among drivers.

Azman Hon, 63, a taxi driver from Singapore, expects operating costs to rise due to the larger geographical area of Malaysia compared to Singapore.

“For example, if we pick up a passenger from Singapore to Muar, the journey takes more than two hours. On the way back, we can’t pick up passengers, and the taxi travels empty,” he said.

To address this issue, Mohamad Yazid, 58, from Bedok, suggested the introduction of more pickup points and a centralised booking system, similar to e-hailing platforms, specifically for cross-border taxis.

Such a system would allow drivers to plan their trips more efficiently, reduce waiting time, and ensure fair access to passengers for drivers from both countries.

Meanwhile, Johor Bahru-Singapore Cross-Border Taxi Association chairman Mohd Suhaimi Saidi, said the association would meet with the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) to discuss several matters, including fare coordination.

“We hope to receive positive feedback from APAD and the government regarding the issues raised,” he said.

The association, which has approximately 189 members, welcomed the initiative by both governments, as it marks the end of a long wait for improvements and opens a new chapter in the development of cross-border transport services.

This move is also expected to tackle the issue of illegal taxi services, ensuring a more regulated, safer, and competitive cross-border transport system.

On Dec 4, the governments of Malaysia and Singapore reached an agreement to implement several key improvements aimed at strengthening cross-border land transport links through taxi and bus services. This follows a meeting between Transport Minister Anthony Loke and his Singaporean counterpart, Jeffrey Siow, during the 12th Malaysia-Singapore Annual Leaders' Retreat.

The new measures allow foreign taxis to drop off passengers at any location in the other country, though pick-up locations remain fixed and will be gradually expanded to prevent point-to-point operations.

The quota for licenced cross-border taxis will also be increased from 200 to 500 vehicles per country in stages.

-- BERNAMA