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LTA rules out cross-border ride-hailing to Johor; Job market rebounds after 5-month slump: Singapore live news

LTA rules out cross-border ride-hailing to Johor; Job market rebounds after 5-month slump: Singapore live news

Yahoo3 days ago
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has clarified that it will not fully liberalise cross-border ride-hailing services, despite recent media reports and discussions with Malaysian officials. Instead, LTA is exploring ways to improve the existing Cross Border Taxi Scheme (CBTS), which allows up to 200 licensed taxis from each side to operate between Singapore and Johor Bahru.
These improvements may include app-based bookings and more pickup and drop-off points. Enforcement against illegal ride-hailing remains a priority, with safety and driver welfare at the forefront. Separately, LTA is reviewing Malaysia's request to start cross-border buses at 4am to ease morning congestion. Any changes will be aligned with Singapore's local transport schedules. The goal is to enhance commuter convenience without compromising regulatory safeguards.
Singapore's job market is showing signs of a rebound after a five-month decline, with job postings rising 2.1 per cent in June 2025, according to job site and hiring platform Indeed. AI-related roles are surging, now appearing in nearly 15 per cent of all listings, and spreading into non-tech sectors like research and engineering.
Healthcare, education, and infrastructure jobs are also seeing strong growth, while service-oriented roles such as public safety and veterinary care are declining. Employers are cautiously optimistic, focusing on sectors aligned with national priorities. Despite global headwinds, job creation remains resilient, keeping unemployment low. Indeed's data shows postings are still 43 per cent above pre-pandemic levels.
Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates.
Singapore says no plans to liberalise ride-hailing to Johor
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has clarified that it has no intention to fully liberalise cross-border ride-hailing services between Singapore and Johor Bahru. The announcement follows recent media reports and an 1 Aug meeting between officials from both countries.
While the idea of on-demand cross-border rides was raised, no decision was made. Instead, LTA is exploring enhancements to the existing Cross Border Taxi Scheme (CBTS), which allows up to 200 licensed taxis from each side to operate between Singapore and Johor Bahru. These taxis currently pick up and drop off passengers only at designated terminals – Larkin Sentral and Ban San Street.
To improve convenience, LTA is considering increasing the number of pickup and drop-off points and enabling app-based bookings for licensed taxis. Enforcement against illegal ride-hailing remains active, with safety and driver welfare as key priorities.
Separately, LTA is reviewing Malaysia's request to start cross-border buses at 4am to ease morning congestion. Any changes will be aligned with Singapore's local transport schedules.
Singapore job market shows signs of life
Singapore's job market is bouncing back, with a 2.1 per cent rise in postings in June 2025, according to job site and hiring platform Indeed. AI-related roles are booming, appearing in one-third of tech listings and increasingly in non-tech sectors like research and engineering.
Healthcare and infrastructure jobs are also surging, with sports and pharmaceutical roles tripling since pre-pandemic times. Meanwhile, service roles like public safety and veterinary care are seeing declines.
Despite a year-on-year slowdown, job creation remains robust. Employers are cautiously optimistic, focusing on sectors aligned with national priorities.
Indeed's data shows job postings are still 43 per cent above pre-pandemic levels, underscoring the market's resilience. But global uncertainty looms large.
Callam Pickering, Indeed's APAC economist, says hiring remains strong enough to keep unemployment low. But he warns that geopolitical shifts could cloud future growth.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has clarified that it has no intention to fully liberalise cross-border ride-hailing services between Singapore and Johor Bahru. The announcement follows recent media reports and an 1 Aug meeting between officials from both countries.
While the idea of on-demand cross-border rides was raised, no decision was made. Instead, LTA is exploring enhancements to the existing Cross Border Taxi Scheme (CBTS), which allows up to 200 licensed taxis from each side to operate between Singapore and Johor Bahru. These taxis currently pick up and drop off passengers only at designated terminals – Larkin Sentral and Ban San Street.
To improve convenience, LTA is considering increasing the number of pickup and drop-off points and enabling app-based bookings for licensed taxis. Enforcement against illegal ride-hailing remains active, with safety and driver welfare as key priorities.
Separately, LTA is reviewing Malaysia's request to start cross-border buses at 4am to ease morning congestion. Any changes will be aligned with Singapore's local transport schedules.
Singapore's job market is bouncing back, with a 2.1 per cent rise in postings in June 2025, according to job site and hiring platform Indeed. AI-related roles are booming, appearing in one-third of tech listings and increasingly in non-tech sectors like research and engineering.
Healthcare and infrastructure jobs are also surging, with sports and pharmaceutical roles tripling since pre-pandemic times. Meanwhile, service roles like public safety and veterinary care are seeing declines.
Despite a year-on-year slowdown, job creation remains robust. Employers are cautiously optimistic, focusing on sectors aligned with national priorities.
Indeed's data shows job postings are still 43 per cent above pre-pandemic levels, underscoring the market's resilience. But global uncertainty looms large.
Callam Pickering, Indeed's APAC economist, says hiring remains strong enough to keep unemployment low. But he warns that geopolitical shifts could cloud future growth.
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