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 Johor state executive councillor for transport, Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh, 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 said, Bernama reported
Mohamad Fazli said the approach will 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.
Mohamad Fazli said Johor had proposed 12 key locations for Singapore taxis to drop off passengers in the state, with these locations including Senai International Airport, JB Sentral, Medini, Southkey, Mount Austin, Eco Botanic and six shopping malls, including the Johor Premium Outlets.
“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 Johor taxis are understood to be allowed to drop passengers at five locations in Singapore, namely Changi Airport, Kranji, Jurong, Shenton Way, and Rochor, though cross-border taxi fares have not yet been discussed.
At present, cross-border taxis 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 Baru costs about S$60 (RM185).
Taxi drivers from both countries have welcomed the latest initiative as they expect an increase in trips, though they also hope fares will be 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 support enforcement against illegal domestic trips, taxis from Malaysia 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 implemented.
