Approximately 400,000 travellers use the land checkpoints daily and this number increases to about 430,000 during the year-end school holidays and festive periods. This year is no exception,and longer waiting times are to be expected during this peak period of travel.

2.            To prepare travellers for the traffic conditions at the checkpoints, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) had shared an advisory on 12 Nov 2018 that the traffic flow through the land checkpoints at Woodlands and Tuas was expected to be heavy from 16 Nov 2018 till the end of the year.

3.            ICA has also been providing updates on the traffic situation at Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints through ICA’s Facebook page and the Expressway Monitoring & Advisory System (EMAS) installed along BKE and AYE respectively.

4.            To facilitate clearance at the land checkpoints during peak periods, ICA monitors the arrival and departure traffic conditions in real-time across the different conveyance modes like cars, buses, lorries and motorcycles, and adopts a multi-pronged approach in our traffic management measures. These include cross-deployment of officers and flexible use of lanes for clearance of conveyances.

5.            ICA observed that the heavy traffic situation at both land checkpoints between 14 and 16 December was exacerbated by motorists who failed to observe lane discipline through rampant queue-cutting. Additionally, cars had broken down on the Causeway on two occasions during this period, and there was one bomb hoax incident. These led to severe congestion for both arriving and departing traffic.

6.            We would like to assure travellers that our officers are working round the clock and doing their utmost to ensure that travellers’ needs continue to be met without compromising security. During this peak period, ICA officers have put in many overtime hours. All our available resources are being used.  From time to time, during shift changes or redeployment of officers to other high traffic areas, certain counters may have to be temporarily closed.

7.            Motorists can do their part to ensure a smooth journey. To better plan for their journey, they may wish to check ICA’s Facebook page and the EMAS information on the prevailing traffic situation at the checkpoints. Enroute to the checkpoints, motorists must observe lane discipline at all times for the safety of other road users, and cooperate with checkpoints officers. ICA will also work with Traffic Police to ensure road discipline.

8.            ICA strives to ensure expeditious checkpoint clearance for all travellers. However, security must still be our top priority. We seek travellers’ patience and understanding in this.

Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
19 December 2018