If Cross‑Border Ride‑Hailing Is Legalised… Would You Take the Job?

Recently, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) reminded everyone that there are no plans (for now) to fully open up ride‑hailing services between Singapore and Johor Bahru.

This comes after a series of enforcement actions against illegal cross‑border ride‑hailing services — cases where unlicensed drivers picked up passengers in Singapore and ferried them into Malaysia (or vice versa) without proper permits. These drivers risk heavy fines, vehicle seizure, or even a ban from driving professionally.

Right now, cross‑border trips are strictly under the Cross‑Border Taxi Service (CBTS) scheme:

• Only licensed cross‑border taxis can take passengers across.
• Pick‑up and drop‑off are only allowed at two terminals — Ban San Street in Singapore and Larkin Sentral in Johor.

LTA has said they’re looking at small tweaks — like adding more boarding points, or letting licensed cross‑border taxis take bookings via ride‑hailing apps.
But full liberalisation for PHVs? Not on the table yet.

Still, as PHV drivers, it’s worth thinking ahead:
What if one day, we could just accept a JB trip straight from our Grab, Gojek, or Tada app?
Would it be a money‑making opportunity… or just another headache on wheels?

The Temptation

• Higher fares — Cross‑border trips will almost always cost more than your usual city run.
• New income source — More bookings from JB commuters, day‑trippers, and tourists.
• Easy app bookings — No need to send passenger to Ban San Street first.
• Bonus — You can sneak in a petrol top‑up and release some tension while you’re there… but just remember, there goes part of your trip earnings.

⚠️ The Reality Check

• Immigration jams — Spend 45 mins or more stuck at the Causeway for a 30‑min drive.
• Long turnaround — One trip in and out could take hours.
• Price pressure — JB drivers can charge way less and still make profit.
• Extra costs — Petrol, tolls, bridge charges, maybe extra insurance.
• The killer — Drive a passenger in… but come out empty? That’s like working one‑way for free.

Is It Worth Your Time?

A $50 fare sounds nice. But if you’re stuck at customs for an hour each way, that’s two hours gone.
Would that same time earn you more running local jobs back‑to‑back?
Would it still make sense after tolls, fuel, and the JB “kopi break” expenses?

Bottom Line for PHV Drivers

If cross‑border ride‑hailing ever gets the green light, it’s not a free money button.
It might suit drivers who:

• Drive mostly in off‑peak border hours
• Like longer but bigger‑ticket trips
• Don’t mind stretching their legs in JB between jobs

But for most city‑focused drivers, the slow turnaround might kill your daily rhythm — and your earnings.

Your turn:
If LTA suddenly says “Yes” tomorrow, would you turn on cross‑border jobs in your app?
Comment below — and share this with your PHV kakis to see if they’d take the plunge.