Johor-Singapore Cross-Border Taxis: Quota Rises to 500 on 16 November 2026

The Short Version

Singapore and Malaysia will raise the licensed cross-border taxi quota from 300 to 500 per country on 16 November 2026. Two more ride-hailing operators, CDG Zig (Singapore) and Kumpool (Malaysia), will be licensed from the same date and join Grab. We read three reports published 6 to 8 November 2026 (checked 13 November 2026). We did not fetch an official LTA or APAD notice, so treat dates as reported, not confirmed at source.

What Was Announced

• Quota: 300 to 500 per country from 16 November, per The Star (6 November 2026, from The Straits Times) and New Straits Times (6 November 2026).
• New operators: CDG Zig Pte Ltd and Kumpool Sdn Bhd, joining GrabCar Pte Ltd (NST).
• What it means: a quota is a cap on licensed taxis, not a count of cars on the road. Little Big Red Dot (8 November 2026) notes no figure for licensed taxis was given.
• Official comments: LTA chief executive Ng Lang called it "an important step towards strengthening cross-border connectivity between Singapore and Malaysia". APAD director-general Ahmad Radhi Ma'arof called it "a significant milestone in enhancing the cross-border passenger movement".

Pick-Up and Drop-Off: Rules from 4 May 2026 Still Apply

According to Little Big Red Dot (8 November 2026): Singapore-registered taxis pick up anywhere in Singapore and drop off in Johor Bahru, Iskandar Puteri, Forest City, Kulai and Senai. Malaysia-registered taxis drop off anywhere in Singapore and pick up at Ban San Street Terminal or three ride-hail points. Private-hire cars still cannot carry paying passengers across the border. The NST report likewise restates the May rules (designated pick-up points for ride-hailing and e-hailing, drop-offs across Singapore and designated Johor areas). The 16 November change is about quota and operators; we found nothing in these reports saying the pick-up and drop-off rules change.

Fares We Could Verify

Only street-hail fares were published in the sources we read. Little Big Red Dot lists, per taxi:

• Ban San Street to Larkin, or within 35 km: S$80 (Standard 4-seater), S$120 (Standard 6-seater), S$180 (Premium 6-seater).
• Larkin to Ban San Street: RM240, RM360 or RM540 for the same three categories.

The same article says neither CDG Zig nor Kumpool has published an app fare. The Star quotes a Zig by ComfortDelGro executive saying more information "will be made available in due course". Do not assume the new apps will be cheaper than Grab, or that a fare is fixed, until they publish prices.

What We Could Not Confirm

• No official notice. We did not read an LTA, APAD or ministry page. The Malay Mail report on this news blocked our fetch (HTTP 403), so we did not use it.
• Start of service. Reports say the operators are "licensed" from 16 November. None we read says when their apps will actually take cross-border bookings.
• Waiting times and fares. Nothing we read says whether more taxis will shorten waits or lower prices.

Practical Tips

1. Book only licensed cross-border taxis. LTA's advice, reported by The Star on 25 June 2026, is that only licensed taxis carry valid cross-border insurance coverage.
2. Check the fare on screen before you confirm, and screenshot it.
3. If you are on a tight budget, buses are still the cheapest option; see our Causeway crossing guide and cross-border Grab guide.
4. Have your passport and, if needed, your arrival cards ready: see our MDAC and SG Arrival Card checklist.

Stay Near the Border at Pelangi Capsule Hostel

Pelangi Capsule Hostel is at 26A Jalan Perang, Taman Pelangi, Johor Bahru. A capsule is RM35 per night, and RM30 for the first night if you are a first-time guest booking direct on our website. Check-in is from 2:00 PM. We accept payment in MYR and SGD. Book direct, see rooms, or contact us for directions from where your taxi or bus drops you.

FAQ

When does the new taxi quota start?

16 November 2026, per The Star and NST (6 November 2026).

Which operators are added?

CDG Zig and Kumpool, alongside Grab.

Do the new operators have fares yet?

Not in the sources we read. Little Big Red Dot says neither has published an app fare.

Can I now be dropped off anywhere in Johor?

The May 2026 rules list drop-offs in Johor Bahru, Iskandar Puteri, Forest City, Kulai and Senai for Singapore-registered taxis. We found no report of a change on 16 November.