Commuters hoping to use ride-hailing services such as Grab, Gojek or TADA for direct cross-border journeys between Singapore and Johor Bahru are out of luck – at least for now.

Despite recent reports in Malaysian media hinting that Singapore might be looking to introduce on-demand ride-hailing for cross-border transport, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has stepped in to clarify that there are currently no such plans to liberalise these services. The announcement comes following a bilateral meeting between Singapore and Malaysian transport officials on 1 August 2025.

This clarification is particularly relevant to thousands of commuters who cross the Causeway daily for work, school, or leisure. For now, Grab cars will not be ferrying passengers across the border – a move that might disappoint some who were hoping for more flexible and convenient alternatives to crowded buses and limited taxis.

Existing Taxi Scheme Still the Main Option

At present, point-to-point transport across the Singapore-Malaysia border is limited to a Reciprocal Cross Border Taxi Scheme (CBTS). Under this arrangement, up to 200 taxis from each side are licensed to operate cross-border trips. However, these taxis can only pick up and drop off passengers at one designated location in the other country — Singapore taxis at Larkin Sentral in Johor Bahru, and Malaysian taxis at the Ban San Street Terminal in Singapore.

Interestingly, LTA noted that the current quota of 200 taxis per side has not been fully utilised. In response, the authorities are now encouraging full take-up of these quotas. Additionally, they are exploring enhancements such as expanding the number of drop-off and pick-up points, and introducing app-based bookings — but strictly within the licensed taxi network. This means that any hopes of casually calling for a Gojek ride across the border are still off the table.

Changes Require Agreement from Both Governments

The LTA was clear in emphasising that any potential updates to cross-border transport arrangements must be reciprocal and carefully negotiated with Malaysian authorities. The objective, they said, is to improve commuter convenience without compromising the livelihoods of existing taxi and private hire drivers.

“We remain open to ideas that can enhance the cross-border commuting experience,” said an LTA spokesperson. “However, our priority is to balance commuter demand with the protection of our transport workers’ interests.”

Cross-Border Bus Timings Under Review

Apart from e-hailing, discussions at the recent meeting also covered requests from Malaysia for Singapore’s cross-border bus services to start operations earlier — at around 4.00am — to ease peak-hour congestion. The LTA is now evaluating whether it is feasible to advance the bus start times, while ensuring they still align with the operating hours of Singapore’s MRT and local bus services.

Private operators may also be roped in to offer early-morning services at higher fares, adding potential options for early commuters.

Conclusion

In short, while there is momentum toward improving cross-border public transport, commuters will have to temper expectations when it comes to on-demand ride-hailing. For now, Grab, TADA and Gojek will continue to operate only within their respective borders — and anyone hoping for a cross-border ride will still have to rely on licensed taxis, buses, or walking across the Causeway.

Any shift to allow more flexible cross-border services will depend not only on policy changes but also on the willingness of both Singapore and Malaysia to find common ground. Until then, the wait for a Grab ride to Johor Bahru continues.

A 23-year-old woman has tragically lost her life following a car accident involving a collision with a bus in Yishun. The fatal crash occurred in the early hours of 2 August 2025, leaving one passenger dead and two others hospitalised.

According to the Singapore Police Force, the accident took place around 5:35am at the busy intersection of Yishun Avenue 2 and Yishun Central 1. Preliminary reports suggest the car had rear-ended a stationary public bus operated by Tower Transit.

The 23-year-old female passenger was found unconscious at the scene and later pronounced dead at the hospital. A 47-year-old male driver and another 20-year-old female passenger were also taken to hospital for treatment, but remained conscious during evacuation, reported Shin Min Daily.

Crash Involved Private MPV and Stationary Bus

Footage obtained by local Chinese daily Shin Min revealed that the vehicle involved was a silver multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). The front of the MPV was severely crumpled after smashing into the back of the bus, which was stationary at a traffic light. Broken glass and car parts were scattered across the road, highlighting the force of the impact.

The bus involved suffered visible damage to its rear bumper and body panels. Thankfully, there were no passengers aboard the bus at the time of the incident, which potentially prevented further injuries or fatalities.

A spokesperson from Tower Transit confirmed that their bus was not in motion when the crash occurred, and the driver was waiting for the light to turn green. The driver of the bus was reportedly unharmed.

Road Safety Concerns Raised as Investigation Continues

Investigations into the crash are ongoing, with the police yet to confirm whether factors such as speeding, driver fatigue, or intoxication may have played a role. It remains unclear why the MPV failed to stop in time behind the bus.

This latest road incident has once again raised concerns about road safety in Singapore, particularly during early morning hours when visibility and alertness can be compromised. Experts have previously warned that fatigue-related accidents are more likely to occur between 1am and 6am.

Authorities are urging drivers to exercise extra caution, especially when approaching intersections or stationary vehicles. In Singapore, rear-end collisions are among the most common types of traffic accidents, often linked to driver distraction or tailgating.

Community Mourns Victim, Calls for Caution

The identity of the deceased has not yet been released to the public, pending official notification to her next-of-kin. Social media users have expressed condolences and shared messages calling for more responsible driving behaviour, especially among younger motorists.

Yishun residents, already concerned about traffic conditions in the area, are calling for improved road signage, speed limit enforcement, and enhanced visibility at traffic junctions to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

As investigations continue, authorities are expected to release further updates. The Land Transport Authority and Tower Transit have yet to announce if additional safety measures will be introduced in response to the incident.

Image Source: Shin Min Daily

BlueSG has announced a temporary suspension of its electric car-sharing service in Singapore, with operations to halt at 11:59PM on 8 August 2025. The pause marks the start of a full platform revamp aimed at launching a next-generation car-sharing experience in 2026.

New Platform, New Cars, Better Network

In a public announcement, BlueSG shared that it is embarking on a major technology and service upgrade to keep pace with the evolving landscape of shared mobility in Singapore. Key highlights include:

• A completely new platform for smoother user experience
• A refreshed fleet featuring a wider range of electric vehicles
• A significantly expanded network of pick-up and drop-off locations islandwide
• Improved reliability and operational efficiency

This overhaul, BlueSG says, is built upon valuable lessons from years of operating Singapore’s first electric car-sharing scheme.

Current Users Assured: Refunds, Support & Account Closure Info

To minimise inconvenience to its members, BlueSG will continue to manage billing, refunds, subscription adjustments and account closures until 31 August 2025. For lingering enquiries, email support will remain available until 1 October 2025.

The company also assures users that all changes will be communicated clearly and promptly through official channels. Dedicated customer service remains on standby through live chat and email throughout the transition.

Importantly, existing users will receive exclusive privileges when the new BlueSG service relaunches in 2026 — a move likely aimed at retaining customer loyalty through the pause.

CEO: “We’re Reimagining Car-Sharing in Singapore”

Keith Kee, CEO of BlueSG, explained that the current infrastructure has reached a point where incremental tweaks aren’t enough. The platform needs to be rebuilt from the ground up to deliver what he calls “unprecedented efficiency, scalability and user-centric design”.

“We’re not just upgrading — we’re reimagining what car-sharing in Singapore can be,” he said, adding that advanced technology and deep operational expertise will form the backbone of the new system.

What Comes Next?

While specific features, vehicle models or launch dates remain under wraps, BlueSG has promised that more details will be released in the coming months.

Until then, commuters relying on BlueSG for short-term transportation will need to explore alternative services such as GetGo, Tribecar, or traditional rental platforms.

Despite the disruption, BlueSG’s bold step could signal a turning point for Singapore’s car-lite and green mobility future, especially if the relaunch delivers on promises of smarter, cleaner and more convenient urban travel.

Four men, aged between 39 and 47, are expected to be charged in court on 1 August 2025 for their alleged involvement in a cheating scheme linked to Workforce Singapore’s (WSG) Professional Conversion Programmes (PCPs), now known as Career Conversion Programmes (CCPs).

WSG’s PCP initiative was created to support mid-career Singaporeans transitioning into new industries or roles, offering salary support and training subsidies to employers. However, in this case, the programme appears to have been exploited by individuals who allegedly falsified salary records and employment statuses to secure government payouts.

Fabricated Salaries, Fake Employment and Falsified Payslips

The four accused include a former company director, another serving director, and two employees from a wholesale firm specialising in computer hardware and peripheral equipment. Authorities say that between June 2018 and October 2019, the 45-year-old ex-director registered two of the men under the PCP scheme. He is accused of falsely declaring to WSG’s appointed programme partner, Supply Chain Asia Community Ltd (SCA), that the two were receiving the stated salaries in their contracts—when in reality, they were not.

The 47-year-old director allegedly submitted doctored payslips between April and July 2019 to support these false claims. Meanwhile, the 39-year-old employee reportedly continued pretending to be employed at the firm to help sustain the deception and ensure continued grant disbursements, even after his resignation.

Adding to the scheme’s complexity, the 46-year-old employee is said to have worked with the ex-director to inflate his CPF contributions, making it appear that he was earning a much higher salary than he actually was.

Total Payouts and Potential Penalties

The deception led to SCA disbursing $89,100 in salary support and an additional $10,010 in training subsidies—funds meant to genuinely aid workforce transformation.

If convicted, the men face stiff penalties. For each charge of cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code, they could be jailed for up to 10 years and fined. For falsifying accounts under Section 477A, each offence carries up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.

Firm Reminder Against Misuse of Public Funds

The Singapore Police Force issued a strong warning, reiterating its zero-tolerance stance towards abuse of public schemes. “The Police take a serious view against the abuse of Government grants, and offenders will be dealt with severely in accordance with the law,” the statement read.

This case serves as a reminder that while government support schemes aim to empower jobseekers and employers, misuse of such programmes can result in severe consequences—and authorities are watching closely.