Strides Premier’s cross-border taxi rides available for booking via online form

SINGAPORE - Travellers headed to Johor Bahru can book cross-border rides offered by taxi operator Strides Premier via an online form.

In a Facebook post on the evening of Sept 19, the operator said that bookings can be made through

a form on its website

, with pickups available at any Singapore location.

Most trips from a Singapore location to Larkin Sentral Terminal will cost $80, although a pickup at Changi Airport or Seletar Airport will cost $120.

Those from Ban San Street taxi stand will cost $60.

Conversely, passengers from Larkin Sentral Terminal can choose to be dropped off at any location in Singapore, with prices starting at $60 for those who have not made bookings in advance.

It will cost $70 if a booking is made beforehand.

Choosing to alight at the Ban San Street taxi stand will cost RM120 (S$36.50).

The Straits Times has contacted transport operator SMRT, which owns Strides Premier, for more information.

ST understands that Strides Premier has already started accepting bookings via its online form.

ComfortDelGro had announced on Sept 18 that bookings for cross-border rides to Johor Bahru from anywhere in Singapore can be

made through its hotline

from Sept 25.

The transport giant said its 90 cabbies who have valid cross-border taxi licences will be available to provide the service.

Customers can call its hotline on 6552-1111 to make an immediate booking, or reserve a ride in advance.

Most trips will also cost $80, while pickups from the Ban San Street taxi stand will cost $60. Those from the airport will cost $120.

The push by taxi operators here to provide greater convenience follows efforts to improve cross-border services between Singapore and Malaysia, as well as a

crackdown on illegal ride-hailing activities

.

The Land Transport Authority had acknowledged in early September that improvements could be made to the current system, including having more designated pickup and drop-off points.

Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling, however, said in a Facebook post on Sept 19 that having more drop-off points in Malaysia would depend on the Malaysian authorities, and that both countries’ representatives were discussing it.

Under the current reciprocal cross-border taxi scheme,

a licensed fleet of

up to 200 taxis

from each country can ferry passengers between Singapore and Johor Bahru.

These taxis can pick up and drop off passengers only at designated points.

Singapore taxis can do so at Larkin Sentral Terminal in Johor Bahru, while Malaysian taxis have Ban San Street Terminal in Rochor.