Illegal M'sia ride-hailing drivers increasing prices to S$200-S$300 per trip as supply falls due to LTA clampdown

Some illegal cross-border ride-hailing drivers from Malaysia have responded to the recent clampdown on their trade by the Singapore authorities by suspending their services and cancelling on passengers.

Others, on the other hand, are taking the opposite approach: Increasing their fares in response to the fall in supply of illegal rides.

Price go up by S$50 or more

Shin Min Daily News reported that a prospective passenger in Singapore had wanted to book a illegal ride-hailing vehicle for three people to Malacca.

She was initially quoted S$230 for a seven-seater car.

Following the Land Transport Authority's clampdown recently, she was then told she will have to pay up to S$280 for the ride.

Another illegal ride-hailing driver quoted S$350 for a ride.

Rides getting expensive

One operator of illegal ride-hailing services told Shin Min on condition of anonymity that their drivers could complete more than 100 trips from Singapore to Malaysia each month before the recent clampdown.

Now, some are apparently looking to rejoin the legal cross-border taxi trade as the illegal ride-hailing service has become risky to carry out.

But the legal cross-border taxi service has yet to see an improvement in business.

Some 70 vehicles have been impounded in Singapore since February 2025.

Another driver from Malaysia said he knew of drivers charging S$200 to S$300 now for a ride that used to cost S$125.

Travelling via Woodlands Checkpoint

It was also reported that illegal ride-hailing services are choosing to use the Woodlands Checkpoint via the Causeway to get to Malaysia instead of the checkpoint at the Second Link in Tuas.

Based on drivers' experience, passengers are reportedly made to disembark from the car for checks at the Second Link, it was reported.

Top photo via Professional PHV Drivers Singapore Facebook