Malaysia and Singapore plan a unified framework for cross-border buses, aiming to boost tourism links and ease travel between the two countries.
Cross-Border Bus Services Set for Expansion
Malaysia and Singapore have agreed to align regulations governing cross-border bus operations, a move aimed at expanding tourism links and improving passenger convenience along one of the world’s busiest land transport corridors.
The decision was made following a meeting on December 4, 2025, between Singapore’s Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow and Malaysia’s Transport Minister Anthony Loke during the 12th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat.
According to the official announcement published by Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport (MOT), the ministers agreed that existing cross-border routes have served travellers well but remain limited in scope, including for tourism beyond Johor Bahru.
The push for regulatory alignment is intended to allow a broader range of bus options, potentially increasing frequency, improving connectivity to destinations deeper inside both countries, and making buses a more attractive mode of cross-border travel.
Both governments plan to direct their respective transport agencies, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) for Singapore and the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) for Malaysia, to work toward a common regulatory framework.
“These enhancements and principles agreed to by both Ministers reflect our continued commitment to improving cross-border connectivity and the commuting experience for travellers between Singapore and Malaysia,” the MOT wrote in its official statement.
In the same agreement, the ministers also announced progress on revising rules for cross-border taxi operations, including permitting foreign taxis to drop off passengers anywhere in the other country and gradually expanding the quota of licensed vehicles.
“Officials from both countries will keep up their close engagement and work expeditiously towards an agreement and implementation of enhancements to cross-border taxi and bus services,” the ministry concluded.
