Malaysia and Singapore allow cross-border taxis anywhere in each other country
It was a long-standing wish of taxi drivers in Singapore and Johor Bahru, Malaysia: to be able to cross borders without restrictions on both side of the Causeway, which separates Singapore from Malaysia. While driving their passengers to their final destination.
Wish granted! Singapore and Malaysia are preparing to overhaul their cross-border taxi system, paving the way for door-to-door rides between the two countries for the first time.
The move—announced on December 5 in a joint statement by both nations’ transport ministries—will allow licensed taxis from either side of the Causeway to drop passengers anywhere across the border, a major shift from today’s restrictive rules.
The announcement was made during the 12th Singapore–Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat by Singapore’s Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow and Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke. Both officials acknowledged rising demand for more convenient cross-border travel and pledged to curb illegal operators by making formal services more accessible.
While details are still being worked out, the ministries said the reforms will include raising the quota of licensed cross-border taxis from 200 to 500. Regulators will also expand designated pick-up points for ride-hail and e-hailing bookings, improving last-mile options for travelers.
Under the new framework, foreign taxis may drop off passengers anywhere in the destination country but must pick up riders only at official zones to prevent them from functioning as local point-to-point services.
Currently, such taxis are restricted to fixed terminals: Singapore cabs may only drop passengers at Johor Bahru’s Larkin Sentral, while Malaysian taxis are limited to Singapore’s Ban San Street Terminal.
More pick-up points and more taxis
The updated scheme will prioritize adding 100 new licenses on each side, focusing on larger, more premium vehicles popular with groups and business visitors. All licensed cross-border taxis will be required to carry a distinct livery, tamper-proof plates, and, for Malaysian operators entering Singapore, the city-state’s ERP2 in-vehicle unit.
Both nations also plan to develop a regulatory framework for cross-border ride-hail services, strengthen insurance coverage, and streamline claims for accidents. On the bus front, the ministers agreed to pursue aligned regulations to boost tourism-oriented services.
“These enhancements reflect our continued commitment to improving cross-border connectivity,” the ministries said. The land transport links between Singapore and Malaysia are indeed among the busiest in the world, reflecting the strong business linkages and people-to-people ties. Both ministries added that officials will push ahead quickly with implementation. So far, no start date has effectively been provided for the new system.
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