ICA Warns Of Heavy Traffic At Woodlands & Tuas Checkpoints During 6-15 Sep

It’ll be the September school holidays soon.

After countless hours of hardcore mugging, don’t you just want to fly overseas for a holiday to unwind and enjoy?

Maybe Japan? Konichiwa?

Perhaps Korea? Annyeonghaseyo?

But then you take a look at your bank account.

Looks like your imoutos or oppas will have to wait.

Instead, you turn your head towards the north, setting your eyes on our friendly neighbour. (Malaysia)

Where you will feast like kings on basically the same thing you can find in Singapore.

Except it’s probably nicer over there. And cheaper.

However, even that may be an issue.

Heavy Traffic At Checkpoints From 6 to 15 September

Yes, unfortunately, this is the tragedy of life.

Singapore, known as a rich country with poor people, has no lack of people in the same boat as you (and me).

During the holidays, most of us will turn to Johor Bahru (JB) for our vacation.

As a result, ICA is warning us of the potentially heavy traffic from Friday (6 September) to next Sunday (15 September).

But wait, people on foot won’t be spared either.

Imagine enduring the traffic jam until the public bus drops you off at the customs and you smugly walk pass all the cars still stuck in the snail-speed traffic.

And then you see this.

And then you groan while stuck in the queue, “Walao, why so many Singaporeans no life one keep coming to JB and make the queue so long.” while being part of the Singaporeans with no life and keep going JB.

But if you die-die want to go, I suppose you could use some life pro tips.

Or should I say, life goody tips?

Goody Tips For The Journey To The North

Naturally, after acknowledging that you’re actually part of the problem (since you’re contributing to the queue and traffic as well), you got to play your part.

Here are three very simple things:

• Ensure you have your correct passports, with a validity of at least 6 months
• Don’t try to smuggle prohibited items. No chewing gum, no firecrackers, nothing.
• Don’t cut queue. I know Singaporeans kiasu, but just don’t. It’s dangerous and it worsens the congestion.

Otherwise, you could just end up adding to the delay. And no one wants to be that guy.

Also, plan ahead.

ICA recommends that you check the traffic situation using the One Motoring website or the Expressway Monitoring & Advisory System (EMAS) installed along the BKE and AYE respectively.

But really, you could just use Checkpoint.sg, which has both a Facebook page and apps available on App Store and Google Play.

Nope, not a sponsored post.

But what if you want to skip the traffic altogether?

You: “Is it possible to learn this power?”

Me: “Not from the ICA.”

Head over to Easybook and book a train ride from Woodlands to JB Sentral (and vice versa for your return trip).

Yes, a train ride. It’s operated by KTM ETS (Keretapi Tanah Melayu Electric Train Service).

You can board the train at the Woodlands Train Checkpoint (aka Woodlands CIQ) which is the lesser-known brother of the usual Woodlands checkpoint.

Not only does the train skip the traffic altogether, but the queue at the immigration is also much, much shorter.

It’s that easy.

The problem is, of course, this: can you get a ticket?