Heavy traffic expected at Woodlands & Tuas checkpoints due to March school holidays & Hari Raya Puasa

Heavy traffic at both Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints is expected due to the upcoming March school holidays from Friday, Mar. 14 March to Monday, Mar. 24, and the Hari Raya Puasa holiday from Friday, Mar. 28 to Tuesday, Apr. 1, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said on Friday.

During the recent Chinese New Year period from Jan. 24 to 30, more than 3 million travellers crossed Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints, with a peak of over 521,000 travellers crossing in a single day on Jan. 24, ICA added in their advisory.

Car travellers departing during peak periods had to wait up to three hours for immigration clearance, due to traffic tailback from Malaysia.

ICA recommended that travellers can consider taking the cross-border bus services.

"We seek travellers’ understanding to cooperate with ICA officers, observe traffic rules and maintain lane discipline," ICA said.

"ICA will not hesitate to take stern action against travellers who do not comply with officers’ instructions and commit offences at the checkpoints."

Reminders

To ensure a smoother journey, travellers are reminded to ensure that their passports have a remaining validity of at least six months.

Motorists are advised to check the traffic situation at the land checkpoints before embarking on their journeys and to refrain from queue cutting as it can cause severe congestion and compromise the safety of other motorists.

Errant motorists caught queue cutting will be turned away and made to re-queue, ICA warned.

Those travelling by bus are encouraged to use QR codes for faster and more convenient immigration clearance.

Travellers can use it at QR code enabled automated lanes and Special Assistance Lanes (SAL) in the bus halls.

Top photos via Woodlands Checkpoint Human Traffic & Malaysia-Singapore Border Crossers