KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Cross-border taxi services between Singapore and Malaysia will be enhanced from May 4 to improve travel convenience while maintaining fair conditions for drivers, transport authorities said Thursday.
The changes follow discussions under the 12th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders' Retreat in December 2025, involving both countries' transport ministries and agencies, the authorities said in a joint statement.
Under the updated Cross-Border Taxi Scheme, licensed taxis will be allowed to drop off passengers anywhere in Singapore and in selected areas in Malaysia. Pick-ups in the home country remain unrestricted, while foreign-registered taxis will only be allowed to pick up passengers from three designated ride-hailing points.
Street-hailing and ride-hailing services will continue at Ban San Street Terminal in Singapore and Larkin Terminal in Johor Bahru, with revised fare caps for different vehicle categories.
Each country will also add 100 cross-border taxi permits initially, with plans to expand the quota to 500 per side over time. The new allocation includes larger and premium vehicles to serve families and business travelers.
To curb illegal services, taxis must display clear identifiers, install tracking devices and comply with a vehicle age limit of 10 years. They must also carry at least one passenger when entering the foreign country, with limited exemptions.
The enhancements reflect both countries' commitment to safe, reliable cross-border transport while protecting local drivers from illegal services. They are also expected to strengthen business links and people-to-people ties between Singapore and Malaysia. ■
