Pix courtesy: ICA Facebook
By TNS News Team
SINGAPORE, March 26 – The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has issued an advisory warning of heavy traffic at the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints in the lead-up to the Hari Raya Puasa holiday, spanning from Friday, 28 March to Tuesday, 1 April 2025.
With a surge in travel expected, ICA has urged commuters to plan their journeys carefully and check real-time traffic conditions before heading to the border. During the recent Lunar New Year period (24 to 30 January 2025), saw over 3 million travellers crossing both checkpoints. On the peak travel day, 24 January, more than 521,000 people crossed, with car travellers experiencing wait times of up to three hours due to traffic tailbacks from Malaysia.
As of 11 a.m. today, ICA reported heavy departure traffic at Woodlands Checkpoint due to a similar tailback from Malaysia, with delays expected.
Traveller Experiences Amid Long Border Waits
Many frequent cross-border travellers are already preparing for potential delays.
“We travel home to Johor every Hari Raya, and the congestion is always bad. Last year, we waited almost four hours at Woodlands Checkpoint. I’m hoping it won’t be worse this time,” said Faizul Izani, a Singapore-based factory worker returning to Malaysia for the celebrations.
Another commuter, Raymond Lim, who crosses the border weekly for business, noted that while delays are expected, travellers can mitigate the frustration by planning ahead.
“I always check traffic updates before leaving. Avoiding peak hours helps, but sometimes, even late-night crossings can be packed. Hopefully, authorities can do more to ease the flow,” he shared.
For families with young children, long waits can be especially challenging.
“My kids get restless in the car when we are stuck for hours. We always bring snacks, games, and a power bank for their tablets,” said Singaporean resident Noor Azreen, who is heading to Malacca for the holidays.
ICA’s Travel Advisory and Recommendations
To ease congestion and minimize delays, ICA advises travellers to:
✅ Plan Ahead – Avoid peak hours and consider travelling during off-peak periods. Past trends indicate the heaviest congestion occurs in the evenings and weekends.
✅ Check Traffic Updates – Stay informed by monitoring ICA’s social media channels, the One Motoring website, and live traffic cams before setting off.
✅ Use Public Transport – Commuters are encouraged to use cross-border bus services where possible to reduce vehicle congestion.
✅ Ensure Proper Documentation – Make sure passports have at least six months’ validity and that vehicle entry permits are in order to prevent unnecessary delays at immigration checkpoints.
✅ Prepare for Longer Wait Times – Carry essential supplies such as water, snacks, and medication in case of extended waiting periods, particularly for those travelling with young children or elderly passengers.
Authorities are working closely with their Malaysian counterparts to manage traffic flow efficiently and ensure smoother border crossings. However, given the anticipated travel rush, ICA urges patience and cooperation from all travellers.
For the latest updates, commuters can visit the ICA website or follow official announcements via social media and local traffic monitoring platforms. –
TNS News