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Known as Drive to Malaysia, the feature allows eligible GetGo users to collect a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP)-registered vehicle from a nearby location in Singapore and drive anywhere in West Malaysia, including Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur, according to AsiaOne.

Unlike current cross-border taxis and ride-hailing services, which generally transport passengers between designated pick-up and drop-off locations, the service does not limit users to specific destinations, allowing them to drive around West Malaysia for the duration of their booking.

GetGo said the feature is intended to offer Singaporeans a more flexible alternative to conventional cross-border car rentals, which may require customers to place a deposit and collect and return vehicles at rental outlets.

Bookings must last at least 12 hours and can extend for up to five days. Users can make reservations up to 30 days in advance.

Drivers can enter Malaysia through either the Woodlands Causeway or Tuas Second Link and may travel anywhere in West Malaysia. Traveling beyond Malaysia into Thailand or other countries is not allowed.

Drive to Malaysia bookings do not require a deposit and carry no mileage charge. But users will have to pay a cross-border surcharge equivalent to 30% of the time charge, subject to caps based on the vehicle category and day of travel, according to Channel News Asia.

Users must carry a physical passport with at least six months of validity and a valid physical driver’s license for every registered driver.

The new feature comes amid continued strong demand for cross-border travel between Singapore and Malaysia.

Singaporeans make an estimated 19.4 million round trips to Johor Bahru each year and spend about $1.69 billion annually at retail and food and beverage businesses there, according to a Singapore Business Federation study cited by Singapore Business Review.

GetGo said it received nearly 2,000 responses from users interested in joining its beta program within 48 hours of opening applications, signaling early interest in the service.