SINGAPORE – Some 19 drivers were caught offering illegal ride-hailing services within Singapore and across the border with Malaysia on August 5.

They were nabbed after a combined operation by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) targeted such activities at a land checkpoint, and through LTA’s patrols at Gardens by the Bay and Changi Airport.

This is the first time the agencies conducted such an operation at a land checkpoint.

In a statement posted on its Facebook account on August 6, LTA said that the vehicles involved were impounded.

The Straits Times has asked LTA which of the land checkpoints saw the two agencies cracking down on illegal ride-hailing services , but a video shared on social media that was seen by ST suggests it was the Tuas Checkpoint.

Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling said in a Facebook post on Aug 6 that LTA was ramping up its enforcement against such illegal services because those drivers do not have the proper licence and insurance coverage f or the passengers they might be ferrying.

“Such services put passengers at risk, and harm the livelihoods of law-abiding licensed drivers,” she said.

Ms Sun said that the Government is looking into improving the existing licensed cross-border taxi scheme by expanding the boarding and alighting points, and encouraging more taxis to participate.

This includes getting different vehicle types to serve different passenger needs, and having a user-friendly booking app – something that currently does not exist.

“As these are reciprocal arrangements that we have with Malaysia, these changes have to be agreed by both Governments,” she added.

Efforts to clamp down on illegal transport services have been stepped up recently.

Through tip-offs from the National Private Hire Vehicle Association and regular patrols, the LTA said on July 29 that

, including four near Punggol Road and Turf Club Avenue.

This came shortly after an earlier operation conducted on July 18 at Changi Airport

.

Under the current legislation, offering point-to-point transport services in Singapore and cross-border services without a valid Public Service Vehicle Licence (PSVL) is an offence that carries a fine of up to $3,000 , a jail term of up to six months or both.

The vehicles used can also be forfeited.

Only Singapore- and Malaysia-registered taxis approved by the authorities of both countries are allowed to offer cross-border transport. These taxis can pick up and drop off passengers only at designated locations.

Besides the PSVL, Malaysia-registered taxis must also have an Asean Public Service Vehicle Permit.

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