Auto lanes increase checkout rates at Woodlands Checkpoint bus station, latest Singapore news

The use of automated lanes at Woodlands checkpoint has allowed 1,000 more bus travelers per hour to pass through immigration during peak evening departure times.

This is a 20 percent increase from the pre-pandemic period in 2019, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said on Saturday, the first day of school holidays. Usually, the number of travelers visiting the checkpoint will increase.

The ICA said automated immigration was the default at bus stops at land checkpoints in Singapore, allowing it to send staff to other areas where more assistance was needed.

The Woodlands Checkpoint bus hall currently has 7 manual lanes and 68 auto-checkout lanes, 28 of which are bi-directional and can be adjusted to accommodate crowds departing or arriving in Singapore.

About 242,000 travelers pass through Woodlands Checkpoint each day, of which about 100,000 are bus travelers.

Senior Deputy Director Colin Tan, commander of the ICA Forestry Command, said more motorways would be phased in over the next year.

Meanwhile, other measures have been introduced to expedite immigration for bus travelers.

These include a ‘loop system’ for the Causeway Link buses, which allows the buses to drop off and pick up passengers within the Woodlands Checkpoint grounds without going through immigration. increase.

Causeway Link buses transport passengers between Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine, and Woodlands Checkpoint in Johor.

A dedicated immigration lane has also been introduced on public buses from Singapore.

The automated customs clearance initiative will also be extended to Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints in January 2023.

that allowing people in 51 jurisdictions, including Malaysia, to use auto lanes, For those visiting Singapore for the first time.

Eligible foreign visitors are SG arrival card Apply through the MyICA mobile app or the ICA website within 3 days of your arrival in Singapore.

With automated lanes, biometrics such as iris and fingerprint images are automatically enrolled during customs clearance.

Heavy traffic has been reported at land checkpoints in Singapore and Malaysia since travel restrictions imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic were lifted.

On Good Friday weekend in April, Nearly 1.4 million travelers passed through land checkpoints. There are an average of about 350,000 crossings per day.

Traffic jam at land crossing caused Johor Mentelli Besar on Hafiz Gazi Do 20 spot checks From 2022 at the Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex.

In an interview with Malaysian media, Datuk On Hafiz said improving connectivity with Singapore was of the utmost importance.

Meanwhile, the ICA said from 2024 the use of a new contactless automated immigration system at passenger halls will allow Singapore residents and visitors to leave the country. No need to use your passport.

They will be identified by biometrics.

From the beginning of 2024, travelers passing through land checkpoints by car will: You can scan the QR code to pass through immigration.

Dedicated vehicle lanes for automated inspection using QR codes will be introduced at Tuas checkpoint from 2026, and such lanes will also be introduced at checkpoints. Redeveloped Woodland Checkpoint From 2028.

With traffic at the Woodlands checkpoint projected to increase by almost 40 percent by 2050, Senior Assistant Secretary Tan said the ICA will continue to further automate processes and reduce its reliance on human resources.

The expanded Woodlands Checkpoint will be able to handle more travelers in the future, he added.

“With the new Woodlands checkpoint, we will be able to reduce travel time from one hour to 15 minutes,” he said.

In the coming weeks, the ICA will announce plans for enhanced customs clearance for persons departing or arriving by motorcycle and train.