We thank Mr Joshua Sim for his suggestion (Have legal point-to-point cross-border ride-hailing services, Sept 9).

Our current regulatory regime for cross-border point-to-point (P2P) transport services is aimed at protecting the safety of passengers and ensuring a fair livelihood for local drivers.

Currently, cross-border P2P services can be provided only by licensed Singaporean and Malaysian taxis. Malaysia-registered taxis that perform cross-border service must have the appropriate licences and permits, which among other protections, ensures they have sufficient insurance coverage, and that passengers would have recourse if the vehicle is involved in a traffic accident.

Safety consideration aside, the illegal services provided by foreign P2P drivers also adversely impact the livelihoods of our local taxi and private hire car  (PHC) drivers, due to differences in operating costs and fare structures.

This is why fares for the licensed cross-border taxi services are fixed and transparent, so that taxis from both Malaysia and Singapore are on a level playing field. To prevent foreign taxis from providing illegal P2P services outside their home country, these cross-border taxis can pick up and drop off passengers only at designated landing points outside their home country.

While passenger convenience is a consideration, a well-functioning P2P system must also be fair to our drivers, and let them make a decent living. The safety of passengers is also of paramount importance.

We therefore have no plans to change our rules and regulations to allow foreign PHCs to provide cross-border P2P services. As guided by Minister Chee Hong Tat, MOT and LTA will continue to carry out enforcement actions and impose stringent penalties against such illegal services. Offenders can face heavy fines and have their vehicles confiscated.

Ng Wai Keong 
Director, Public Transport Division 
Ministry of Transport

Yeo Teck Guan 
Senior Group Director, Public Transport 
Land Transport Authority