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Going to Johor Bahru this upcoming March school holidays?
Be prepared for a jam.
Back to normal
The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority issued an advisory on March 6 regarding traffic flow through Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints that has returned to pre-Covid-19 levels during peak hours.
Traffic is expected to be heavy between March 10 and 20, 2023, ICA said.
According to ICA, about 362,000 travellers crossed the land checkpoints daily during the year-end school holidays in 2022.
There were several instances of extremely heavy departure traffic on the Bukit Timah Expressway towards Woodlands Checkpoint due to tailbacks from the Causeway.
At the peak of the March school holidays in 2019, the average waiting time for travellers departing or arriving by car via the land checkpoints was about three hours.
ICA anticipates similar heavy traffic situation at both land checkpoints with the upcoming March school holidays and tailbacks are also expected from Malaysia.
Those who wish to depart to Malaysia or enter Singapore via the land checkpoints by car or bus, are advised to factor in additional time for immigration clearance.
What to do before departure
Before embarking on their journey, motorists are advised to check the traffic situation at the land checkpoints through the Land Transport Authority (LTA)’s One Motoring website or via the Expressway Monitoring & Advisory System installed along the BKE and Ayer Rajah Expressway.
Motorists can also get updates through ICA’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, as well as local radio broadcasts on Money 89.3, Kiss92, One 91.3, Hao 96.3, UFM 100.3.
Singapore residents and eligible first-time foreign visitors including Malaysians, who are travelling by bus are encouraged to clear immigration via the automated lanes at the passenger halls.
There is no need for a separate enrolment process to use the automated lanes.
Motorists are also reminded to avoid queue cutting as it can cause severe congestion and compromise the safety of other motorists.
They are advised to observe traffic rules, maintain lane discipline, and cooperate with officers on-site.
ICA works closely with Traffic Police to ensure road discipline at the critical junctions leading to the land checkpoints.
Travellers are reminded that they should ensure their passport has a remaining validity of at least six months, while Singapore permanent residents who have renewed their passport will have to transfer their re-entry permit to the new passport.
Travellers are also reminded not to bring in prohibited items.
Those bringing in dutiable or controlled items, such as tobacco products must proactively declare them to our officers prior to being checked.
Departing travellers driving Singapore-registered cars are reminded to observe the “three-quarter tank” rule.
Offenders may be issued with a composition sum of up to S$500 or prosecuted in court.
They will be turned back at the checkpoints, and not allowed to proceed with their journey into Malaysia.
Top photo of Causway on Feb. 27, 2023