https://www.straitstimes.com/singap...border-transport-for-businesses-despite-risks
SINGAPORE/JOHOR BAHRU – On Sept 12, a Singapore-registered Toyota Noah belonging to a limousine service operator was impounded by the Malaysian authorities after it crossed the border at Tuas Checkpoint.
For the past year, the limousine service operator has been contracted to drive staff from an American company with operations in Singapore to its factory in Johor Bahru for meetings.
Speaking to The Straits Times on Sept 18, the spokesman for the Singapore limousine service company said it hopes to get its seven-seater car back after a court hearing in Malaysia.
Even though chartered car rides across the Singapore-Malaysia border are not allowed, individuals and companies have been able to book chauffeured rides to shuttle between the countries with ease until enforcement was stepped up in recent months.
The Singapore-registered limousine company, which had its car impounded, declined to be named because it wants to avoid losing even more business. Some of its Singapore-based multinational clients have suspended their contracts to drive staff across the border until they are assured that the arrangement is legal.
This follows media reports of drivers of foreign-registered vehicles being caught taking paying passengers across the border.
However, some companies and individuals continue to book such rides, which are more convenient than taking a cross-border taxi before transferring to a local taxi or private-hire car after crossing the border for the rest of the journey.
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When asked why the Singapore-based company continues to provide the service even after having a car impounded, the spokesman said cross-border transport is a key part of the company’s business, adding that there is still substantial demand for it.
At least one Singapore government agency engages limousine services for cross-border transport. The HDB called for a tender in May for chauffeur-driven transport between Singapore and Malaysia.
A Housing Board spokesperson said that throughout the contract period, “the vendor must comply with all applicable regulations, such as regulatory requirements, set by the relevant authorities, including obtaining the necessary authorisations.
“HDB will exercise its rights to take the appropriate action should there be any non-compliance with these requirements.”
A spokesperson for the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said that if it is approached by other government agencies about making cross-border arrangements, the advice will be for them to use only licensed channels, which will be under the Cross-Border Taxi Scheme and coaches.
The LTA spokesperson added that when the authority’s employees have to travel to Malaysia for work, they use either public transport or their personal vehicles.
Another limousine company that used to drive clients across the border is Limo2Go. At its peak, the firm dispatched around 40 trips a month. The Singapore-registered company had five corporate contracts signed with companies in Singapore that needed transport into Malaysia.
With news of clampdowns, at least one of the company’s clients suspended cross-border travel arrangements, said Mr Erman Abdullah, Limo2Go’s head of operations.
In mid-September, Limo2Go stopped cross-border services completely after one of its drivers was stopped and questioned by the Malaysian authorities.
“We initially planned to continue fulfilling our existing contracts despite the clampdowns, but after this incident, we don’t want to risk (losing our cars) any more,” said Mr Erman.
There are also Malaysian transport companies with corporate contracts to take clients from Singapore to Malaysia.
