SINGAPORE: Following the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) recent enforcement against cross-border private hire vehicle (PHV) services from Malaysia into Singapore, actor-comedian Hossan Leong has appealed to LTA and Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow to explore practical solutions that better serve commuters.
In a LinkedIn post titled Cross-Border Commute Challenges: A Call for Practical Solutions, Leong highlighted the difficulties faced by small and medium enterprises (SMEs), professionals, and families who rely on daily travel between Johor Bahru and Singapore.
“For many SMEs, managing directors, and professionals like myself living in Johor Bahru while working or running businesses in both countries, the almost-daily cross-border commute is a necessity, not a choice,” he wrote.
He explained that meetings, operations, and client engagements often demand frequent travel, while families with school-going children, elderly parents, or medical needs also depend on smooth cross-border movement — particularly with Changi Airport serving as the key international gateway.
However, Leong noted that the latest enforcement action against PHVs has severely disrupted this ecosystem.
Many who previously relied on such services to travel between Singapore and Johor Bahru now face uncertainty, with limited alternatives available.
“The existing terminal-to-terminal taxi service is not practical for many of us. It does not serve the majority of commuters and, in my humble opinion, is an out-of-date transport model,” he said.
While acknowledging the legal, insurance, and safety concerns surrounding PHV usage, Leong urged regulators to focus on solutions rather than restrictions.
He warned that the current situation has already led to disrupted business travel for SMEs and entrepreneurs, increased stress for families with young children or elderly parents, reduced productivity due to unreliable transport arrangements, and the risk of commuters turning to unsafe or illegal alternatives.
Among the proposals Leong put forward were:
- Introducing a regulated permit system for licensed cross-border ride-hailing services to ensure safety and compliance.
- Setting up dedicated cross-border transport lanes or zones to streamline immigration and customs processes for authorised vehicles.
- Establishing collaborative platforms between Singapore and Malaysia to integrate PHV regulations and operations.
- Holding stakeholder consultations with SMEs, families, and PHV operators to co-develop sustainable long-term policies.
“This isn’t just a transport issue — it’s an economic and social one,” he concluded, calling for a balanced approach that upholds security while supporting livelihoods and maintaining strong ties between Singapore and Johor Bahru.
LTA Steps Up Enforcement Against Illegal Cross-Border PHVs
The call for solutions comes amid intensified enforcement by the LTA against illegal cross-border PHV services.
Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling said the crackdown targets drivers who do not hold the proper licences or insurance to ferry passengers safely.
“Such services put passengers at risk, and harm the livelihoods of law-abiding licensed drivers,” she said.
On 6 August, the LTA reported that 19 drivers had recently been caught providing illegal ride-hailing services in Singapore and on cross-border trips to and from Malaysia.
Since 2022, a total of 136 drivers have been caught offering illegal cross-border passenger transport services, and their foreign-registered vehicles have been impounded.
Public Mixed Reactions
Leong’s appeal has drawn mixed reactions online. While some netizens agreed with his suggestions, others rejected them outright.
Many argued that living in Johor Bahru was Leong’s personal choice, and that the inconveniences of cross-border commuting should not be imposed on others.
Some also raised concerns that cross-border PHVs would negatively impact Singapore’s local drivers.
“Please don’t impose your inconvenience to rob the living of local drivers,” one user commented.
Another, who said both his father and father-in-law were taxi drivers, remarked that “enterprising” illegal foreign drivers were swooping in and stealing rides from locals as if rules did not apply to them.
“It’s easy money for them, while the locals have to bear all the costs, licences, and regulations,” he added.
Others echoed the view that regulations exist to protect livelihoods.
“Our rules exist for a reason — to protect our economy and our own people,” one user wrote.
On the other hand, some users found Leong’s appeal constructive.
One user said that many had missed the main points of his post.
She added, “The source of this issue is the outdated terminal-to-terminal system. If the government can work on this, all issues would be resolved.”
Minister Acknowledges Unmet Commuter Needs
In response to Leong’s post, Siow thanked him for the feedback and acknowledged the challenges faced by cross-border commuters.
He said the authorities recognised there was an unmet need and that discussions were underway with Malaysia to establish a legitimate arrangement that would serve both Singaporean commuters and local taxi and PHV drivers.
“This will take a bit of time as any agreement has to be mutually agreed between our countries and comply with laws on both sides. Will keep everyone updated on progress,” Siow wrote.
Suggestions for Interim Solutions
Following Siow’s comment, one user suggested a “tag-team model” as an interim solution, where Malaysian PHVs would drop passengers at designated points such as Woodlands, Marsiling or Yew Tee, with Singapore PHVs taking over, and vice versa for trips into Johor Bahru.
He said a company like Grab could pilot the system with joint government support, using seamless bookings, integrated payments and geo-fencing to ensure compliance.
This, he added, would keep drivers on both sides active while allowing regulators to trial cross-border solutions in a controlled manner.
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