Continuous heavy traffic expected at land checkpoints during September school holidays

SINGAPORE: Travellers can expect continuous heavy traffic at Singapore’s land checkpoints during the upcoming September school holidays, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said on Monday (Aug 26).
Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints are set to see heavy traffic in the lead-up to and during the period from Aug 30 to Sep 8.
Travellers should factor in additional waiting time, ICA said in a travel advisory.
“We also seek their understanding to cooperate with ICA officers, observe traffic rules and maintain lane discipline,” it added.
The land border crossings between Singapore and Malaysia are among the busiest in the world.
More than 540,000 travellers – a record – crossed both checkpoints on Aug 8 ahead of the National Day long weekend, ICA said.
“Car travellers departing during these peak periods had to wait up to three hours before they were cleared through immigration, due to traffic tailback from Malaysia,” the authority said, adding that travellers can consider taking cross-border bus services as an alternative to crossing the checkpoints in their vehicles.
ICA also advised motorists to check the traffic situation at the checkpoints on LTA’s One Motoring website before starting their journeys.
ICA reminded travellers to ensure that their passports have a remaining validity of at least six months. Singapore permanent residents who have renewed their passports should ensure that their re-entry permits have been transferred to their new passports.
Long-term pass holders should notify ICA or the Ministry of Manpower of any change in their passport particulars before re-entering Singapore.
People travelling by car are encouraged to use QR codes instead of passports for faster immigration clearance, said ICA.
Drivers of foreign vehicles should ensure that their Vehicle Entry Permits (VEPs) are valid as those without a valid Autopass card, a VEP approval email from LTA or valid insurance will be turned back.
ICA added that drivers of foreign vehicles with outstanding fines with government agencies should settle these payments as those with outstanding fines may be denied entry into Singapore.
Motorists should also avoid cutting the queue as it can cause severe congestion and compromise the safety of other drivers.
“Errant motorists caught queue cutting will be turned away and made to re-queue,” ICA said.