SINGAPORE: Heavy traffic through the Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints is expected over the long Hari Raya Haji weekend, said the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) in an advisory on Wednesday (Jul 6).
Jul 11, a Monday, is a public holiday.
“Travellers should expect delays from Jul 8 to Jul 11 and are advised to adjust their travel plans, where possible, to avoid being caught in traffic congestion,” said ICA.
The agency noted that traffic flow through Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints has been “gradually increasing” since the reopening of borders on Apr 1.
The number of travellers over the first weekend of this month, from Jul 1 to 3, hit a record of more than 282,000 per day. This surpassed the previous weekend high of 278,000 travellers per day recorded during the June school holidays.
There were 224,000 travellers per day during the Vesak Day weekend, and 149,000 travellers per day during the Good Friday weekend.
ICA advised travellers to factor in additional time for immigration clearance and avoid the following peak hours over the Hari Raya Haji long weekend:
Departing Singapore
- Friday (Jul 8) 3pm to 11.59pm
- Saturday (Jul 9) 6am to 10am, 4pm to 9pm
Arriving in Singapore
- Monday (Jul 11) 6pm to 11.59pm
Additionally, travellers leaving via Woodlands Checkpoint should note that upgrading works on arrival immigration car booths have been ongoing at Malaysia’s Bangunan Sultan Iskandar since Jun 6. During this period, booths that are undergoing upgrading will not be operational.
ICA also advised motorists to check the traffic situation at the land checkpoints through the Land Transport Authority’s One Motoring website or via the Expressway Monitoring & Advisory System (EMAS) installed along the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) and Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE).
Motorists can also get updates on the traffic situation at both land checkpoints through ICA’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.
“To avoid getting caught in traffic jams at the land checkpoints, travellers can either take the cross-border bus services provided by public bus operators or the shuttle train services via the Woodlands Train Checkpoint, instead of driving into Malaysia via private vehicles,” ICA added.