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Traffic flow through Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints is expected to be heavy between April 20 and 24, 2023, during the Hari Raya Puasa weekend from Thursday to Monday, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority said on April 18.

With traffic flow back to pre-Covid-19 levels during peak hours, the waiting time for travellers departing by car to clear Singapore’s land checkpoints is expected to be up to three hours.

This was the volume experienced during the Hari Raya Puasa long weekend in 2018, when more than 1.5 million travellers crossed the land checkpoints, averaging about 380,000 crossings per day.

There were also continuous tailbacks from Malaysia’s checkpoints for departing motorists, resulting in vehicular queues extending beyond Seletar Expressway for Woodlands Checkpoint and along Ayer Rajah Expressway for Tuas Checkpoint.

The upcoming Hari Raya Puasa holiday falls on Saturday, April 22.

Those who wish to depart to Malaysia or enter Singapore via the land checkpoints by car or bus, are advised to factor in additional waiting time for immigration clearance.

What to take note of

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 Bukit Timah Expressway and AYE.

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.

Motorists are reminded to refrain from 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 and roads leading to the land checkpoints.

Singapore residents and eligible first-time foreign visitors including Malaysians, who are travelling by bus, can clear immigration via the automated lanes at the passenger halls.

There is no need for a separate enrolment process to use the automated lanes.

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.

Several initiatives have been introduced to alleviate the traffic situation.

In 2022, ICA implemented 64 additional automated gates at the immigration bus halls at the land checkpoints.

This allows more bus travellers to clear immigration through the automated lanes and more officers can be deployed to areas at the car and motorcycle zones that require more support to manage traffic congestions.

Clearance lanes too, are converted flexibly for different modes of conveyances, in response to the traffic conditions.

Top photos via Google Maps