We thank Mr Zan Johan for his letter “Targeted regulations better than blanket ban for cross-border transport services” (9 Oct).

We understand the practical challenges highlighted, particularly the inconvenience when passengers cannot be dropped off at their intended destinations in Singapore. We are actively engaging Malaysian authorities to enhance the Cross-Border Taxi Scheme (CBTS), to meet the needs of different commuters, such as large families with young children, the elderly and less mobile, and corporate travellers. As CBTS is a reciprocal arrangement, any changes must be jointly agreed with our Malaysian counterparts.

At the same time, we must continue to protect the livelihoods of our local licensed drivers. As Mr Zan has pointed out, we should distinguish bona fide legal cross-border trips from illegal point-to-point services within Singapore by foreign vehicles. LTA will continue to enforce against the latter. Even as we work to improve the convenience for commuters, we are also engaging local drivers to ensure that the parameters of the scheme will not compromise our ability to enforce against foreign vehicles carrying out illegal trips.

We share the writer's desire for a balanced approach and remain committed to improving cross-border services without compromising safety or fairness.

Yeo Teck Guan (Mr)
Senior Group Director, Public Transport
Land Transport Authority