Johor Singapore Taxi Cross-border: what's happening and what it means

From May 4, Singapore-Malaysia cross-border taxis will have more pickup/drop-off points across Johor. Johor Singapore Taxi Cross-border has emerged this Friday as one of the stories drawing attention in Singapore.

Key facts

• From May 4, Singapore-Malaysia cross-border taxis will have more pickup/drop-off points across Johor.
• Those planning to take cross-border taxis from Johor Bahru back to Singapore will be able to board them from more locations from May 4.
• Cross-border taxis will be allowed to drop off passengers anywhere in Singapore, and in Johor Bahru, Iskandar Puteri, Forest City, Kulai and Senai.
• Grab users can also book Singapore-registered cross-border taxis at Toppen Shopping Centre, Angsana Mall and at The Mall, Mid Valley Southkey, under a new cross-border ride-hailing service operator licence awarded by the Land Transport Authority on April 30.
• Malaysian cross-border taxis, meanwhile, will cost almost the same as their Singapore equivalents, with the cheapest option, a four-seater, costing RM240 (S$77.30).

What we know

Going deeper, those planning to take cross-border taxis from Johor Bahru back to Singapore will be able to board them from more locations from May 4.

On the substance, Cross-border taxis will be allowed to drop off passengers anywhere in Singapore, and in Johor Bahru, Iskandar Puteri, Forest City, Kulai and Senai.

Beyond the headlines, Grab users can also book Singapore-registered cross-border taxis at Toppen Shopping Centre, Angsana Mall and at The Mall, Mid Valley Southkey, under a new cross-border ride-hailing service operator licence awarded by the Land Transport Authority on April 30.

More precisely, Malaysian cross-border taxis, meanwhile, will cost almost the same as their Singapore equivalents, with the cheapest option, a four-seater, costing RM240 (S$77.30).

It is worth noting that Licensed cross-border taxis from Malaysia will require ERP 2.0 units, tamper-proof plates for Singapore entry.

By the numbers

At this stage, Singapore, Malaysia to ramp up cross-border taxi quota to 500 per country.

On a related note, From May 4, Malaysian taxis can drop off passengers anywhere in Singapore.

Going deeper, Singapore and Malaysia will expand their licensed fleets by 100 taxis each, bringing the new total to 300 taxis on each side.

On the substance, Malaysian taxis can enter Singapore without passengers:Fridays, 12pm to 12am.

The wider context

On a related note, For years, cross-border taxis travelling between Singapore and Malaysia could only pick up and drop off passengers at one designated point in the other country.

Going deeper, Singapore taxis can likewise drop passengers anywhere in Johor Bahru, Iskandar Puteri, Forest City, Kulai and Senai.

On the substance, a traveller in Singapore can now book a Singapore taxi to travel directly from home to locations such as Johor Bahru City Square.

Beyond the headlines, Cross-border taxis are also limited to operating within the approved areas in Johor, that is, Johor Bahru, Iskandar Puteri, Forest City, Kulai and Senai.

More precisely, Licensed taxis will have a “Cross-Border Taxi” livery affixed on both sides as well as specific licence plate prefixes - “H” for Malaysian vehicles and “SH” for Singaporean vehicles.

The bottom line

• Those planning to take cross-border taxis from Johor Bahru back to Singapore will be able to board them from more locations from May 4.
• A traveller in Singapore can now book a Singapore taxi to travel directly from home to locations such as Johor Bahru City Square.
• Yet, despite the travel demand, the cross-border taxi scheme has been underutilised, according to Singapore’s Land Transport Authority.
• Searches spiking right now: Cross-border taxis allowed drop-offs anywhere in Singapore, Johor Bahru from May 4, Taxi drivers, operators welcome enhanced cross-border taxi scheme but some still cautious, Drop off passengers anywhere in Singapore and parts of JB: Cross-border taxi services to be enhanced from May 4, Grab gets first Singapore-Johor ride-hail licence as ‘anywhere’ drop-off rules kick in May 4.