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Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Licensed taxis struggle as illegal cross-border operators dominate Singapore-Johor run
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 8 — Licensed cross-border taxi drivers in Singapore and Johor Bahru say they are struggling to survive as illegal operators continue to undercut them with door-to-door services. At Ban San Street Terminal in Singapore, drivers wait hours with no passengers, while across the Causeway, the situation at Larkin Sentral is no better. Veteran Singaporean driver Haniff Mahbob said, 'There are only drivers here and no passengers,' describing the bleak state of the trade post-pandemic. Many licensed drivers blame the rise of illegal private vehicles that pick up passengers directly from homes and drop them anywhere across the border, Singapore's CNA reported. Under current rules, Singapore and Malaysia allow licensed taxis to operate across the border only between designated points, severely limiting their flexibility. Singapore's Land Transport Authority (LTA) has confirmed there are only about 300 licensed cross-border taxi drivers still operating under the bilateral scheme. The LTA has stepped up enforcement against illegal services, impounding 19 vehicles recently and continuing patrols at key locations like Changi Airport and Gardens by the Bay. Despite daily border crossings exceeding 578,000, licensed taxi drivers say they wait hours for a single fare due to falling demand. Singaporean driver Mohamed Yazid said illegal operators 'are stealing my passengers, my livelihood,' echoing calls for greater enforcement and reform. Experts say the rigidity of the system is a major deterrent for passengers, who prefer services that offer full-day, door-to-door convenience. Associate Professor Walter Theseira from the Singapore University of Social Sciences said, 'What [passengers] clearly want is a service that picks them up and delivers them door-to-door.' Some passengers say they prefer licensed cabs for safety, but many are deterred by the fixed routes, inconvenient terminals, and rigid fare structures. Calls are growing for both countries to allow licensed cross-border taxis to use ride-hailing platforms and expand their operating points. Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Onn Hafiz Ghazi has proposed liberalising ride-hailing across the border as part of broader plans to boost tourism under Visit Johor 2026. However, taxi drivers warn that liberalisation could worsen competition, flooding the market without increasing passenger demand. Experts say without flexibility on pricing and routes, licensed cross-border taxis may continue to decline, unable to meet modern travel expectations.
Independent Singapore
03-06-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Philippines orders shutdown of AirAsia Move site for excessively high ticket prices
INTERNATIONAL: AirAsia Move, the booking arm of Malaysia-based budget carrier AirAsia, has come under scrutiny in the Philippines, with authorities requesting that the police shut down the booking website due to allegations of unlawfully charging high fares. A cease-and-desist order has been issued by the country's Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), according to Vince Dizon, the Secretary of Transportation, on Monday (Jun 2). Mr. Dizon has asked the CAB to file criminal charges against AirAsia Move due to the excessively high prices it has charged for plane tickets for local carriers to travel to Eastern Visayas, a region in the Philippines currently experiencing a transport crisis. A congressman from the region, along with his wife, a Mayor, had purchased a pair of Philippine Airlines tickets to the capital, Manila, and were charged Php77,704 (S$1,796). The Philippine News Agency (PNA) quoted Mr Dizon as saying that the two tickets were priced at about three times the price they cost on the airline's website, where they had been offered at Php12,000 (S$277.30) each. See also Apple iPad Air 2022 review - "Device is too cool for school" 'Clearly, this is just absurd, and actually criminal. I have asked the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group to take this website down today, so this AirAsia Move can no longer scam others,' he said, adding that he was certain that the congressman and his wife were not the only ones who had been charged excessively high prices. AirAsia Move's executives have been summoned to a hearing on Jun 5. Mr Dizon has also ordered a 'criminal economic sabotage case' to be charged against AirAsia Move, given the circumstances. He explained that the crisis affecting the region is due to the partial closure of a bridge connecting two provinces. 'They are taking advantage of the situation,' he added, and has asked the CAB to look into other booking sites if they are similarly charging high fees not only to the affected region but to other areas as well. 'We will really put the full force of the law on these unscrupulous online platforms who are taking advantage of our people,' Mr Dizon said. See also Suicide bomber killed at Philippine army base Meanwhile, AirAsia Move has stated that it will comply with the cease and desist order, but added that the CAB's jurisdiction applies to air carriers, not to foreign-based travel agencies. In a statement, Nadia Omer, the chief executive officer for AirAsia Move, said that the company 'also clarifies that it does not manually set or manipulate airfares in light of the fare discrepancy issues.' The price discrepancy has been attributed to 'temporary data synchronization issues with flight pricing partners,' according to the statement. Ms Omer said that the technical discrepancy caused by the third-party provider also affected booking platforms, including Agoda, and Traveloka, and added that the company took 'immediate steps' with the third-party pricing provider for immediate resolution.' /TISG Read also: Street artist to sue AirAsia after carrier used his mural without his knowledge
