As demand for cross-border travel increases ahead of Chinese New Year, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has stepped up enforcement against illegal ride-hailing services, and according to reports, LTA has caught 10 illegal cross-border drivers over the past two weeks.
The vehicles involved were impounded.
In a Facebook post on Friday, Jan 30, Senior Minister of State for Transport and National Development Sun Xueling said enforcement actions against illegal cross-border services are ongoing.
“Enforcement operations against illegal cross-border services continued over the past 2 weeks, with an additional 10 vehicles impounded. Since July 2025, checks on over 3,100 vehicles have resulted in 172 vehicles being impounded,” she wrote.
She added that demand for cross-border transport services may rise as the festive period approaches, and reminded the public to choose licensed services instead.
“Our top priority continues to be the safety of our commuters, and protecting the livelihoods of our local drivers,” she said.
LTA also shared details of the enforcement operation in a separate Facebook post, saying the drivers were caught following regular monitoring and tip-offs from NTUC-affiliated platform work associations.
“Through regular monitoring and tip-offs from the National Private Hire Vehicles Association and the National Taxi Association, we recently caught 10 drivers providing illegal cross-border ride-hailing services at our land checkpoints and along the PIE. All their vehicles were seized,” LTA said.
The authority added that since July 2025, it has conducted checks on more than 3,100 vehicles as part of ongoing enforcement efforts.
“Motorists found providing illegal ride-hailing services face up to $3,000 fines and/or 6 months’ jail, and possible vehicle forfeiture,” LTA said.
LTA also urged members of the public to report illegal cross-border transport services if they encounter them, noting that public feedback plays an important role in supporting enforcement efforts.
For those who need to travel across the border, LTA reminded commuters to use licensed cross-border taxi services, which can be booked through operators such as ComfortDelGro, Transcab, Prime Taxi and Premier Taxi. These taxis can pick up passengers at the Woodlands Street 12 taxi stand or at homes islandwide, and will drop passengers off at Larkin Sentral in Johor Bahru.
The Singapore and Malaysia governments had earlier agreed to increase the number of licensed cross-border taxis from 200 per side to 300 per side initially, and gradually to 500 per side. Priority will be given to larger and premium vehicles that can carry more passengers and better meet the needs of business travellers. Further details will be announced at a later date.
