Kota iskandar: Cross-border taxis from Singapore may soon be required to install a location tracking system in Johor. This initiative aims to monitor taxi movements and ensure that passengers are picked up and dropped off only at designated locations, as shared by a Johor state executive councillor.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh, who oversees works, transport, infrastructure, and communications, indicated that this measure would align with Singapore's existing requirement for Malaysian cross-border taxis. These taxis must currently install location tracking via the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) 2 system. The cost of the installation in Johor is still under discussion.
Singapore's Acting Transport Minister, Jeffrey Siow, previously stated that Malaysian taxis operating in Singapore would need to install an on-board unit for ERP2 by January 1, 2027. This unit is deemed necessary to facilitate government monitoring and enforcement actions against these vehicles within Singapore.
Mohamad Fazli revealed that the Johor state government has proposed 12 key locations in the state for Singapore cross-border taxis to drop off passengers. These locations include Senai International Airport, JB Sentral, Medini, Southkey, Mount Austin, Eco Botanic, and six shopping malls, such as Johor Premium Outlets (JPO). This is particularly relevant for tourists arriving at Changi Airport who wish to travel directly to Johor.
Cross-border taxis from Johor can currently drop off passengers at five locations in Singapore: Changi Airport, Kranji, Jurong, Shenton Way, and Rochor. However, the specifics of cross-border taxi fares remain undiscussed.
At present, Malaysian cross-border taxi drivers can only pick up and drop off passengers at Jalan Ban San Terminal in Singapore, while their Singaporean counterparts operate from Larkin Sentral Terminal in Johor. The current fare for a one-way trip from Larkin Sentral Terminal to Jalan Ban San Terminal is RM120, and from Singapore to Johor Bahru, it is approximately S$60.
Taxi drivers from both nations have expressed support for the initiative, anticipating increased trips. However, they also hope for a fair standardization of fares. As of December 5 last year, an agreement between Malaysia and Singapore allows foreign taxis to drop off passengers at any location outside their home country, though pick-ups remain restricted to designated points, which will gradually expand.
To aid enforcement against illegal domestic trips, licensed taxis are required to be identifiable through corporate livery, tamper-proof vehicle plates with prefixes, and special toppers. They must also install Singapore's ERP2 unit for entry into the country. Despite these developments, the timeline for enforcing this initiative and increasing the quota of cross-border taxis from 200 to 500 remains unannounced.