SINGAPORE: Malaysian drivers offering cross-border chartered car services picking up passengers in Singapore are asking higher fees.

While the crackdown by Land Transport Authority (LTA) of Singapore in recent months is effective in forcing some operators to temporarily stop driving, those who continue driving are asking higher fees of more than S$100 (RM329), or would only pick up passengers at the Johor Bahru checkpoint.

Singapore-based Shin Min Daily News reported that the crackdown helped Singaporean drivers enjoy 30 percent more business.

While some Malaysian operators announced temporary halt in ferrying passengers on social media, some continue by adopting new strategies.

Passengers would be ferried in Singapore-registered cars before switching to Malaysia-registered cars in Johor Bahru to continue with their remaining journeys.

Citing high demand, the drivers also asked for additional fees.

Tuition teacher Madam Lee, 30, told Shin Min Daily News she decided to opt for chartered car service with two other friends to Melaka.

The original fee for three of them traveling in a seven-seater vehicle was $320 (RM756), but they were later informed to pay additional fees ranging from $30 to $50 because of LTA crackdown leading to higher demand for such services.

They eventually settled at $280.

Lee checked with another cross-border chartered car service which quoted her $350.

An operator in Johor Bahru said he stopped taking orders due to the strict enforcement.

Prior to this, he made more than 100 trips each month ferrying passengers from Singapore to Malaysia.

Another operator also charged higher fees as demand for such services shot up.

For example, a trip from Singapore to Malaysia used to cost $125, but drivers are now asking between $200 and $300.

When the reporter inquired through WhatsApp, many operators replied that they were unable to pick up passengers in Singapore, and could only pick up passengers at Johor Bahru checkpoint.