JOHOR BARU: The taxi fare from here to Singapore has gone up from RM10 to RM15 per head effective yesterday.

Johor Baru-Singapore Taxi Federation acting chairman Ahmad Osman said the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board approved the increase last week.

The federation comprised the Johor Baru City Council and Singapore Taxi Owners and Drivers Association, the Johor Baru-Singapore Taxi Drivers Employer/Owners and the Johor Baru-Singapore Bhd Taxi Services Co.

Ahmad said the rise in fare was necessary for them to cope with inflation and to offset other charges such as the Electronic Road Pricing and toll charges in Singapore and Johor Baru.

Board chairman Datuk Markiman Kobiran said the people should consider it a fare revision instead of an increase.

"We also have to bear in mind that the taxi charges by our Singaporean counterpart are much higher - S$10, which is about RM23.80 per trip," he said.