SMRT to roll out AV shuttle services as profits hit by last year's six-day EWL train disruption
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CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
More opt for mid- to long-term car leasing options, citing affordability and convenience
Some car rental firms are seeing more Singapore drivers opting for mid- to long-term leasing options over buying cars. They say their customers find these options more affordable and convenient as they don't need to be tied down by a 10-year Certificate of Entitlement, which can cost over S$100,000 upfront. Drivers also do not have to deal with the car's maintenance.
CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
No plans to 'fully liberalise' cross-border ride hailing, but app bookings for licensed taxis being considered: LTA
SINGAPORE: There are no plans to fully liberalise cross-border point-to-point transport via ride-hail services, the Land Transport Authority said on Sunday (Aug 3). However, the authority added that it is considering the use of ride-hailing apps to book cross-border trips on licensed taxis and increasing the number of boarding and alighting points in Singapore and Malaysia. LTA noted recent Malaysian media reports suggesting that Singapore is looking to introduce cross-border on-demand ride services, and said it wanted to clarify the current arrangements and ongoing discussions. Singapore and Malaysian officials met to discuss cross-border service arrangements on Aug 1, with the issue of allowing cross-border e-hailing to ferry passengers raised during discussions. LTA, however, said that no decision was made on the issue. 'While we are open to ideas to improve the cross-border commuting experience, we would like to clarify that LTA has no plan to fully liberalise cross-border point-to-point transport via ride-hail services,' said the authority. The Malay Mail reported on Sunday morning that Johor and Singapore have proposed introducing a cross-border e-hailing service as an alternative mode of transport for commuters. Johor Chief Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi was quoted as saying the proposal was among various matters discussed during his meeting with Singapore's Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow. The chief minister also said that the proposed service would offer more flexible on-demand transport options for the public, as well as ease congestion. LTA said in its clarification that there is an existing reciprocal cross-border taxi scheme in place that allows a licensed fleet of up to 200 taxis from each side to ferry passengers between Singapore and Johor Bahru. These cross-border taxis are currently permitted to pick up and drop off passengers only at a single designated point in the other's country - Larkin Sentral in Johor Bahru for Singapore taxis and Ban San Street Terminal in Singapore for Malaysian taxis. LTA said the existing quota of the cross-border taxi scheme is not fully utilised. "In view of commuter demand for more convenient cross-border travel, we will encourage full take up of the quota of licensed taxis,' said LTA. 'We are also considering increasing the number of boarding and alighting points in each other's country, and to use ride-hailing apps to book cross-border trips on licensed taxis.' LTA said that in any adjustment to the cross-border point-to-point transport regime, its key priorities are to better meet commuter demand while safeguarding the interests of Singapore's taxi and private hire drivers. 'As cross-border taxi scheme is a reciprocal arrangement, any change will require agreement from both governments,' it added. BUS OPERATIONS At the meeting, LTA said the Malaysian authorities also requested Singapore's cross-border buses to start their operations from Johor Bahru at 4am. LTA said it is assessing whether the operating times of these services can be adjusted to help address bus crowding in the early mornings. 'A key consideration is that the first buses should match the starting time of our local bus and MRT services when they arrive in Singapore. LTA is exploring with cross-border bus operators the possibility of bringing forward the bus start times slightly, as well as engaging private bus operators on their interest to operate earlier services at higher fares.' Public bus operations SBS Transit and SMRT told CNA that they are engaging their captains regarding the request. Currently, the earliest public bus across the border on weekdays begins at 5am. SBS Transit said it has to consider the availability of its resources while SMRT said it aims to ensure its services meet commuter needs while maintaining operational sustainability. The safety of commuters and the well-being of bus captains remain the top priorities, added SMRT.
Business Times
3 hours ago
- Business Times
No plans to ‘fully liberalise' cross-border ride-hailing services: LTA
[SINGAPORE] The Land Transport Authority on Sunday (Aug 3) said it has 'no plan to fully liberalise' point-to-point transportation between Singapore and Malaysia via ride-hailing services. This was in response to recent media reports from Malaysia, which suggested that Singapore is looking to introduce cross-border on-demand ride services. The agency clarified that officials from both countries had met on Aug 1 to discuss cross-border service arrangements. 'During the discussions, the issue of allowing cross-border (ride-hailing) to ferry passengers was raised, but no decision was made,' said LTA. While the agency is open to ideas to improve the cross-border community experience, it said there is no intention to fully liberalise cross-border transportation through ride-hailing services. Currently, there is a reciprocal Cross Border Taxi Scheme (CBTS) that allows a licensed fleet of up to 200 taxis from each side to ferry passengers across the Causeway. These taxis are permitted to pick up and drop off passengers at a single designated point on either side: Larkin Sentral in Johor Bahru for Singapore taxis, and Ban San Street Terminal in Singapore for Malaysian taxis. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up The existing quota of the CBTS has not been fully utilised, said LTA. 'In view of commuter demand for more convenient cross-border travel, we will encourage full take-up of the quota.' The agency said it is also considering increasing the number of boarding and alighting points in both countries, in addition to the use of ride-hailing apps to book cross-border trips on licensed taxis. 'Our key priorities are to better meet commuter demand while safeguarding the interests of our taxi and private hire drivers,' LTA said. Any change in the CBTS will require agreements from both governments. LTA added that during earlier discussions, Malaysian authorities had requested for Singapore's cross-border buses to start operations from Johor Bahru at 4 am. It is exploring, together with cross-border bus operators, if operating times of these services can be adjusted to address bus crowding in the early mornings. This includes engaging private bus operators on potentially operating earlier services at higher fares. 'A key consideration is that the first buses should match the starting time of our local bus and MRT services when they arrive in Singapore,' said LTA.
