Heavy traffic expected at land checkpoints over Vesak Day long weekend

With another long weekend coming up, heavy traffic is expected at both land checkpoints from May 8 to 13.

This is due to the Vesak Day long weekend.

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority warned travellers to expect longer waiting times to clear immigration.

Those who still need to travel during this long weekend are advised to take cross-border bus services to avoid congestion.

"We seek travellers' understanding to cooperate with ICA officers, observe traffic rules and maintain lane discipline. ICA will not hesitate to take stern action against travellers who do not comply with officers' instructions and commit offences at the checkpoints."

Those travelling by car and motorcycle are encouraged to use QR codes instead of passports for faster immigration clearance.

Motorists are also warned about queue cutting, which can cause severe congestion. Errant motorists caught queue-cutting will be turned away and made to re-queue.

Bus passengers are also encouraged to use QR codes generated from the MyICA app in place of passports for faster clearance. Travellers can use them at the automated lanes of the bus halls.

2.4 million travellers

During the Good Friday long weekend, which ran from Apr. 17 to 21, more than 2.4 million travellers crossed Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints.

Apr. 17 saw a peak of 555,000 travellers crossing in a single day.

During that period, those travelling by car to Malaysia waited up to three hours to clear immigration due to traffic tailback from Malaysia.

Top photos via Complaint Singapore/Facebook & Onemotoring