If you’re intending to head up to Malaysia for a weekend getaway anytime soon, let this be a stern warning in case you were planning to save a few extra dollars on transport.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has recently cracked down on illegal cross-border chauffeured services operating between Singapore and Malaysia, resulting in the apprehension of four drivers.
These drivers were caught during an enforcement operation conducted by LTA the previous week, with investigations into their cases currently underway.
On 21 February 2024, LTA reiterated their firm stance against unauthorized cross-border services was highlighted through a Facebook post.
The post showcasing images of multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) intercepted or towed away by LTA officers was accompanied by the caption, “During our recent enforcement operation, four drivers were caught providing illegal cross-border chauffeured services between Singapore and Malaysia.”
According to LTA regulations, vehicles are prohibited from providing cross-border passenger transport services for hire without a valid public service vehicle license. Offenders face severe penalties, including fines of up to $3,000, a potential jail term of six months, or forfeiture of the vehicle used for the illegal operation.
Where do these Drivers Come From?
The bookings of these illegal cross-border transportation extends beyond physical bookings to encompass online platforms, including social media and messaging apps like Facebook, Whatsapp and Telegram.
These illegal cross-border services are also advertised on online shopping platforms such as Carousell. While some of these operators mention insurance coverage, none provide evidence of proper licensing for cross-border operations, raising concerns about passenger safety and legal compliance.
Even though getting a privately booked vehicle to transport you and your family or friends to Johor Bahru is incredibly convenient and priced cheaper than the conventionally hired vehicles, LTA warns that vehicles booked through these channels may not be sufficiently insured against third party liabilities which could “pose a serious problem for passengers should an accident occur”.
A spokesperson of LTA said that they have initiated collaborations with prominent platforms like Klook, KKday, and Google to eliminate advertisements promoting illegal cross-border services. Several unauthorized ads have already been successfully removed as part of this effort.
In his own Facebook post, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat emphasized LTA’s commitment to curbing illegal practices by urging the authority to take decisive action, including conducting undercover operations to catch errant drivers.
He writes, “To the drivers who are thinking of offering such illegal services, let me say this: think carefully before breaking the rules, as you never know if your next “customer” is actually an undercover LTA officer.”
To provide legal and safe alternatives, LTA reminds travelers that licensed taxis are available for cross-border transportation at designated pickup and drop-off points, such as Ban San Street Terminal and Johor Larkin Terminal.
Additionally, passengers can book cross-border trips through authorized Singapore taxi operators, or take public transport.
Previous cases serve as a stark reminder of the consequences faced by drivers engaged in illegal chauffeured services.
In 2019, four drivers were convicted and fined for providing unauthorized services with foreign-registered vehicles. Since 2022, LTA has apprehended 12 drivers for illegal cross-border passenger transport services, resulting in fines and vehicle forfeiture.
As LTA continues its efforts to uphold regulatory standards and ensure passenger safety, the authority urges travelers to prioritize legal and licensed transportation options.\
In the comments of LTA’s Facebook post, however, netizens remain skeptical of their efforts, acknowledging that while there were only four culprits nabbed, illegal cross-border services are incredibly common, and can be found at any points of the day.
Others, however, point out that the need for these illegally hired drivers paint a much bigger issue of convenience that current services do not provide.
Whether these concerns will be addressed in the future is not yet known.
By working together with regulatory bodies and the public, LTA aims to maintain the integrity of cross-border transportation services while safeguarding the interests of passengers and the community at large.
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