More than 6.1 million travellers crossed the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints during previous school holidays
More than 6.1 million travellers crossed the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints between Sept 4 and Sept 14, setting a record traffic volume that authorities expect to see again during upcoming holiday periods, according to The Straits Times. Traffic volume during that September window peaked at more than 599,000 crossings on Sept 4 alone, surpassing a previous single-day high of more than 598,000 crossings recorded on June 19, CNA reported. Car travellers caught in peak departure hours experienced waiting times stretching up to three hours for immigration clearance due to heavy tailbacks originating from Malaysia.
Authorities deploy QR code clearance to manage congestion
On the ground in Johor Bahru, a massive power outage at the Woodlands Checkpoint in Singapore caused heavy traffic congestion across major access roads leading to the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex, The Star reported. Although all immigration counters at BSI operated at optimum levels, the backlog built up heavily from the Singapore side starting at about noon. A Home Ministry official noted that the gridlock was further aggravated by a mechanical failure involving a lorry heading toward Singapore.
Police deploy additional personnel around major access roads
Additional police personnel were deployed around BSI and major access roads, including Jalan Tebrau, Jalan Skudai, and Jalan Lingkaran Dalam, to manage the peak-hour rush of workers returning from Singapore. Authorities opened additional lanes to clear immigration as travel times into Johor Bahru hovered at 32 minutes while trips into Singapore from Johor Bahru took one hour and 10 minutes. At press time, it remained unclear what caused the power outage on the Singapore side, and Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority noted that two vehicles had broken down near the International Boundary along the Causeway, blocking one out of three lanes.
Law enforcement officials emphasized that strict action will be taken against motorists who disregard officer instructions or commit traffic offences. During the September holiday period, 27 motorists were caught for traffic offences and dangerous road behaviour at the checkpoints, with 16 individuals referred directly to the Traffic Police. Offences included crossing double white lines, making illegal right turns, and queue-cutting, which authorities warned results in immediate redirection to the back of the queue.
Frequently Asked Questions About Checkpoint Travel Delays
What were the exact traffic numbers recorded during the September holiday rush?
More than 6.1 million travellers crossed the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints between Sept 4 and Sept 14, with a single-day peak of over 599,000 crossings recorded on Sept 4.
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