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Travelling to Johor Bahru is about to get way more laid back. From today, cross-border taxi services between Singapore and Malaysia will undergo one of the biggest upgrades in years, with licensed taxis allowed to drop passengers off anywhere in Singapore and in selected areas of Johor, including Johor Bahru, Iskandar Puteri, Forest City, Kulai, and Senai.
For travellers, the changes make cross-border taxi journeys significantly more convenient, especially for those heading beyond traditional terminal areas. Passengers will now be able to complete journeys closer to their final destination, reducing transfers and travel time on arrival.
Previously, cross-border taxis were only allowed to drop passengers off at designated terminals such as Ban San Street Terminal in Singapore and Larkin Sentral in Johor, requiring travellers to arrange additional transport to reach their final destination.
The change, jointly announced by the transport ministries of both countries, is part of a broader effort to improve cross-border connectivity, ease congestion at terminals, and reduce reliance on illegal point-to-point ride services that have long filled gaps in demand across the Causeway.
While drop-offs are more flexible, pick-ups will remain tightly controlled to ensure continued regulation of domestic transport markets in both countries. Read on to find out everything you need to know before your next ride.
What are the new Singapore–Malaysia cross-border taxi rules from today?
The most significant change is that cross-border taxis are no longer restricted to terminal-only drop-offs. Instead, passengers can be dropped directly at their final destination anywhere within Singapore, and across expanded zones in Johor.
This effectively removes the “last stop at terminal” limitation that has long defined cross-border taxi journeys, making travel more direct and reducing the need for additional transfers after arrival.
Can cross-border taxis pick up passengers anywhere in Singapore or Malaysia?
No, the change applies to drop-offs only. Pick-ups remain strictly regulated.
Foreign-licensed taxis can only pick up passengers from designated points in each country. In Singapore, this includes Ban San Street Terminal and designated areas near VivoCity, Century Square and Joo Koon. In Malaysia, pick-up points include Larkin Sentral, Toppen Shopping Centre, Mid Valley Southkey and Angsana Mall.
This structure ensures that, while drop-offs are flexible, foreign taxis do not operate like domestic ride-hailing services in either country.
Can Grab still be used for cross-border taxi bookings between Singapore and Malaysia?
Yes. One of the biggest changes is that cross-border ride-hailing is now officially licensed, with GrabCar currently the only operator given approval. Grab was already around, but cross-border rides weren’t part of a clear, formalised system like this before. Now, you can book cross-border trips through Grab under a proper licensed framework, alongside the usual street-hail taxis at terminals.
What are the updated fares and rules for Singapore–Malaysia cross-border taxis?
Fares remain regulated and vary by vehicle type. A typical street-hail journey from Ban San Street Terminal to Larkin (or up to 35km) costs:
- Standard four-seater: S$80 or RM240
- Six-seater: S$120
- Premium vehicle: S$180
Drop-offs beyond 35km require top-ups starting at S$20 for four-seaters and S$30 for six-seaters and premium vehicles.
To meet growing demand, both countries will increase the cross-border taxi quota by 100 vehicles each, bringing the total to 300 per side, with future plans to scale up to 500 vehicles each. Larger vehicles are being introduced to better serve families, groups and business travellers.
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