Singapore’s largest taxi operator to offer $62 cross-border rides to Malaysia’s Johor

Most pick-ups across Singapore will be charged at the fixed rate, except for those from the Ban San Street terminal, which cost S$60, and from Changi Airport, which are set at S$120, the firm said in a Facebook post announcing the service on Thursday.

All rides will be dropped off at the Larkin Sentral bus terminal in Johor Bahru, which borders the city-state.

A CDG spokesperson told The Straits Times that passengers can book immediately or schedule a ride up to 24 hours in advance through the company’s hotline.

CDG runs Singapore’s largest taxi fleet of more than 8,400 vehicles. It also operates buses, rail services, private hire cars, and business-to-business mobility solutions, with presence in 13 countries, including Malaysia and China.

All 90 of CDG’s cabbies with cross-border taxi licenses will be available, according to its spokesperson.

Johor Bahru is connected to Singapore via the Johor–Singapore Causeway, one of the busiest land crossings in the world with more than 350,000 travelers daily, from Malaysians heading to work to Singaporeans seeking more affordable goods and services.

Under current rules, only up to 200 licensed cabs each from the city-state and Malaysia can provide cross-border services, though with restrictions: Singaporean taxis may only pick up and drop off passengers at Larkin Sentral, while Malaysian taxis must drop travelers at Singapore’s Ban San Street terminal.

However, taxi drivers in both countries have reported stiff competition from those offering the same services illegally, according to Channel News Asia.

This photo taken on Nov. 26, 2013, shows a view from Singapore of the border crossing into the Malaysian southern city of Johor Bahru. Photo by AFP

Earlier this month, Singapore’s Land Transport Authority said it was studying improvements to the scheme, including more pick-up and drop-off points and working with companies to develop app-based bookings.

CDG’s launch of its new service also comes amid growing cooperation between Singapore and Malaysia through the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone, which is aimed at attracting billions in investment and improving labor mobility, according to Bloomberg.

Cross-border transportation is expected to expand further with the Rapid Transit Link, which is slated to open by the end of next year and will connect Singapore and Johor Bahru with a maximum capacity of 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction.