Expect heavy traffic at Singapore-Malaysia land checkpoints during Vesak Day, June school holidays

Source: CNA

SINGAPORE: There will likely be very heavy traffic at the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints in the coming weeks, as more travellers are expected to cross the Singapore-Malaysia land border during the Vesak Day public holiday and June school holidays.

In addition, heightened security measures are in place in the wake of the attack at a Johor police station that killed two police officers.

The land border crossings between Singapore and Malaysia are among the busiest in the world.

During the recent Good Friday long weekend from Mar 28 to Apr 1, close to 2.3 million travellers crossed Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said on Monday (May 20).

This was an increase of close to 30 per cent compared with the same Good Friday long weekend period in 2023.

During peak periods, those travelling by car had to wait up to three hours before they were cleared through immigration, due to traffic tailback from Malaysia, said ICA.

"With the stepped-up security measures at the checkpoints due to the heightened threat situation, travellers should expect delays and factor in additional time for immigration clearance," the agency added.

"We seek travellers' understanding and cooperation to be patient, observe traffic rules, maintain lane discipline and cooperate with ICA officers."

The motorcycle lane on the Johor Causeway will also be closed intermittently until Jun 5 to facilitate works for the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link.

This will affect lanes both ways - Singapore and Malaysia-bound.

The Singapore-bound closures will take place from 8pm to 3am, while the Malaysia-bound closures will be from 10pm to 5am.

Riders will be diverted to another lane during the closures.

Road users are advised to follow the traffic signs and the instructions of the traffic controller during the lane closures, said Malaysia's rail operator MRT Corp.

Construction of the 4km RTS Link has seen roughly 65 per cent of structural works on the Singapore side done, while the project has also reached 65 per cent completion on Malaysia's end, as reported in January.

The RTS Link is expected to start passenger service by the end of 2026.