22 Nabbed In Singapore For Illegal Cross-Border Ride-Hailing To Malaysia

A total of 22 drivers have been caught for providing illegal ride-hailing services in two of Singapore’s busiest locations, Changi Airport and Gardens by the Bay. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said the drivers were operating without a Public Service Vehicle Licence (PSVL), a mandatory requirement for offering commercial rides, including cross-border trips into Malaysia. “Commuters should steer clear of these unlicensed services,” the LTA cautioned in a Facebook post. “They not only lack insurance coverage but also pose serious safety risks. On top of that, they hurt the income of properly licensed drivers".

All vehicles involved in the crackdown were seized. However, the LTA has yet to confirm whether the cars were Singapore-registered or from abroad. According to the agency, the operation was launched following tip-offs from the National Private Hire Vehicles Association and concerned members of the public. Many expressed worry over the risks of boarding vehicles that do not meet safety and insurance standards.

Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling also addressed the matter in a Facebook update on July 12. She stressed that enforcement would continue and intensify in both frequency and scope. “Repeat offenders may face tougher penalties,” she warned, including the permanent confiscation of their vehicles. This isn’t the first time the LTA has cracked down on such practices. In December last year, 12 drivers were detained for running unauthorised rides between Singapore and Malaysia. Several of the vehicles seized in that operation were foreign-registered.

LTA reminded the public that only licensed taxis, approved by both Singapore’s LTA and Malaysia’s Land Public Transport Agency, are allowed to operate cross-border. In addition, Malaysian taxis must hold an ASEAN Public Service Vehicle Permit. To keep things fair for local drivers, these licensed cross-border taxis can only pick up passengers from the Ban San Street Terminal in Rochor and are not allowed to offer regular ride-hailing services within Singapore.