With the Lunar New Year holidays coming up on 14 February, traffic flow through the Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints is expected to be heavy. Travellers intending to use the land checkpoints during the peak periods should take note of the following travel advisory.

Traffic is Expected to be Heavy at the Land Checkpoints

2 Traffic volume at the two land checkpoints is expected to be heavy throughout the Chinese New Year (CNY) holidays. Departing traffic is expected to be particularly high from Friday (12 February) and arriving traffic is likely to be heavy on Tuesday (16 February). Travellers using the land checkpoints during these periods can expect delays.

At Tuas Checkpoint

3 Tuas Checkpoint has seen significant increases in total vehicular and passenger volumes during festive periods. During the CNY periods in 2009, the number of cars departing Tuas Checkpoint at the start of the festive period was almost twice the volume cleared on a typical weekend. Arrival traffic was also at its peak towards the end of the public holiday where the checkpoint cleared three times as many cars compared to a normal weekday.

At Woodlands Checkpoint

4 Traffic at the Woodlands Checkpoint is also expected to be heavy throughout this CNY period. In the same festive period last year, Woodlands Checkpoint saw a 36 per cent increase in the number of departing cars as compared to a normal weekend. The number of arriving cars cleared at the end of the CNY public holiday had also increased by more than 60 per cent as compared to a normal weekday. Travellers should also take note of the consistent heavy traffic flow at Woodlands Checkpoint and the expected traffic backflow from the Causeway during the upcoming festive periods.

Travellers Have a Part to Play

5 To avoid the surge of people and vehicles seeking clearance at the land checkpoints, travellers are advised to adjust their travel plans and avoid the peak periods altogether. With enhanced security checks, traffic build-up is inevitable, particularly when large number of travellers want to use the checkpoints at the same time.

6 If you really need to travel during the peak periods, you can play a part to ease congestion at the land checkpoints by maintaining lane discipline at all time. You are also encouraged to car-pool or make use of public transport. Singaporean travellers with valid passports and are registered with the National Registration Office can use the Enhanced Immigration Automated Clearance System (eIACS) lanes at the bus halls for immigration clearance. The eIACS allows you to clear immigration through automated lanes within 12 seconds at no additional cost.

7 Travellers are reminded to ensure that they are carrying their own passports before presenting themselves for immigration clearance at the checkpoints. The ICA has detected a number of cases where travellers presented the wrong passports for immigration clearance. This has affected clearance efficiency and caused inconvenience to other checkpoint users. In addition, travellers should also make sure that they do not bring unlawful or prohibited goods into or out of Singapore. The list of controlled and prohibited items is set out on ICA’s website http://www.ica.gov.sg.

Traffic Information

8 Travellers leaving Singapore by Tuas or Woodlands Checkpoints will be able to know in advance the traffic situation from LTA’s Expressway Monitoring & Advisory System (EMAS) installed along AYE and BKE respectively. You can also call the traffic information hotline at 6863-0117, listen to TrafficWatch on the radio or visit LTA’s One Motoring website (http://www.onemotoring.com.sg) to check the latest traffic conditions at the land checkpoints before embarking on your journey.

Security is our Utmost Concern

9 Our borders are our first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore’s security. The enhanced security checks are critical to our nation’s security. The ICA will put in every effort and continue to take the necessary measures to improve clearance efficiency as much as possible without compromising security. We seek your understanding and cooperation, as your security is our utmost concern.


IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
10 February 2010