ISKANDAR PUTERI: Cross-border taxis from Singapore are expected to be required to install a location tracking system in Johor to monitor their movements and ensure that passengers are picked up and dropped off only at designated locations, according to a Johor state executive councillor.
Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh said the move would be in line with Singapore’s requirement that Malaysian cross-border taxis install location tracking via the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) 2 system for the same purpose.
"Malaysia is expected to implement a similar or at least an equivalent measure; however, the matter of the installation cost is still under discussion,” he told Bernama in an interview at his office in Kota Iskandar recently.
Fazli, who is in charge of works, transport, infrastructure and communications, said the approach would also facilitate monitoring by the Transport Ministry.
Singapore’s Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow was previously reported as saying that Malaysian taxis operating in Singapore must install an on-board unit for ERP2 before its full implementation on Jan 1, 2027.
He said the measure was necessary to enable the government to monitor and take enforcement action against the vehicles if needed while they are in the country.
Fazli said the state government had proposed 12 key locations for Singapore cross-border taxis to drop off passengers in the state.
The locations are Senai International Airport, JB Sentral, Medini, Southkey, Mount Austin, Eco Botanic and six shopping malls, including Johor Premium Outlets (JPO).
"These drop-off points are locations the state government considers key destinations. When we mention taxis from Singapore, it could involve foreign tourists who arrive at Changi Airport and want to travel directly to Johor by taxi,” he said.
He added that cross-border taxis from Johor were understood to be allowed to drop off passengers at five locations in Singapore, namely Changi Airport, Kranji, Jurong, Shenton Way and Rochor.
However, Fazli said he understood that cross-border taxi fares have not yet been discussed.
At present, cross-border taxi drivers from Malaysia are allowed to pick up and drop off passengers at Jalan Ban San Terminal in Singapore, while drivers from the republic operate at Larkin Sentral Terminal here.
Currently, a one-way trip from the designated pick-up point at Larkin Sentral Terminal to Jalan Ban San Terminal is priced at RM120, while a one-way trip from the same location in the republic to Johor Bahru costs about S$60.
Taxi drivers from both countries have welcomed the latest initiative, expecting an increase in trips, though they also hope fares will be fairly standardised.
On Dec 5 last year, Malaysia and Singapore agreed to allow foreign taxis to drop off passengers at any location outside their home country, while pick-ups remain restricted to designated locations, which will be expanded gradually to prevent domestic point-to-point operations.
To support enforcement against illegal domestic trips, licensed taxis must be easily identifiable through corporate livery, tamper-proof vehicle plates with prefixes and special toppers, and are also required to install Singapore’s ERP2 unit to enter the country.
However, both countries have yet to announce when the initiative, including the increase in quota from 200 to 500 cross-border taxis, will be enforced.- Bernama
