Unlicensed vehicles stopped

LTa bans carpool service with foreign-registered cars

SINGAPORE: Foreign-registered vehicles are not allowed to provide cross-border passenger transport services for hire or reward in Singapore without a valid public service vehicle licence (PSVL), the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said.

LTA clarified the regulation on Saturday in response to queries from The Straits Times regarding Sameride, a carpool service that is due to launch a Singapore-Johor

Baru carpooling service today.

According to a press release on the Sameride website, more than 300 commuters had pre-registered for the service in the app over the last two weeks.

Sameride estimated that users would be able to significantly reduce the cost of their commute between Johor and Singapore by up to 50% compared to taxi services.

The app also aimed to expedite travel time by reducing traffic on the cross-border route.

LTA said it took a “serious view towards” foreign registered vehicles illegally providing hire-and-reward services.

It added that it would carry out strong enforcement action against such illegal activities.

It has advised the public not to engage cross-border hire services by individuals using unlicensed vehicles.

LTA explained that such vehicles may not be sufficiently insured against third party liabilities and that passengers who ride such vehicles may not be able to claim insurance if they are involved in traffic accidents during their travel.

Those caught providing hire and reward services, including crossborder carpooling service without a valid PSVL, can be jailed up to six months, fined up to S$3,000 (RM9,000) or both.