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Faster immigration clearance for motorcyclists arriving at Tuas Checkpoint with new route diversion
Motorcyclists say it is now up to 25 minutes faster to clear immigration at Tuas Checkpoint.
Motorcyclists entering Singapore wait in heavy morning traffic at Tuas Checkpoint on Aug 16, 2023. (Photo: CNA/Syamil Sapari)
Implemented every weekday morning between the peak hours of 5am and 9am, the diversion allows some arriving motorcyclists to use automated lanes at the departure zone to clear immigration.
Motorcyclists told CNA that they can now clear immigration up to 25 minutes faster, when it would have taken them a total of 30 minutes to an hour in the past.
The conversion of some departure lanes during peak morning hours increases the automated clearance capacity for arriving motorcycles by 75 per cent, from 40 automated lanes to 70 in total.
Currently, about 22,000 motorcyclists enter Singapore through Tuas Checkpoint every weekday morning during the peak period.
A total of about 68,000 motorcyclists use Tuas Checkpoint to enter or exit Singapore each weekday. This is more than half the 123,000 travellers who use the checkpoint every weekday.
It is also an increase from pre-pandemic levels, when more than 65,000 motorcyclists used Tuas Checkpoint daily.
A wave of motorcyclists streams in after the removal of barricades for Operation Sunrise at Tuas Checkpoint on Aug 16, 2023. (Photo: CNA/Syamil Sapari)
Dubbed "Operation Sunrise", the route diversion was implemented at Tuas Checkpoint after a trial period from March to May.
CNA observed the tightly choreographed operation during a media visit facilitated by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on Wednesday (Aug 16).
By moving water-filled barriers, ICA officers divert waves of motorcyclists onto the alternative route to the departure zone whenever there is a build-up of traffic on the lanes into Singapore.
After clearing immigration in the departure zone, the motorcyclists exit Tuas Checkpoint onto the Ayer Rajah Expressway, merging into the flow of traffic following the usual route.
ICA officers and auxiliary police officers removing barricades as part of Operation Sunrise to alleviate heavy motorcycle traffic at Tuas Checkpoint on Aug 16, 2023. (CNA/Syamil Sapari)
Aside from reducing clearance time for motorcyclists, the diversion has also reduced instances of motorcycle queues ballooning along the Tuas Second Link, ICA said in a media statement.
These motorcycle queues obstruct other road users on the Tuas Second Link, such as lorries and cars, causing massive traffic congestion and cargo delays, it added.
The travel volume at Tuas Second Link is expected to increase further, and the diversion has already received positive feedback from motorcyclists, said Superintendent Lian Zhimin, Senior Assistant Commander of Tuas Checkpoint.
Mr Muhammad Hadi Mohd Hasan, 33, said his wait to clear immigration is now 15 to 20 minutes, down from 40 minutes in the past.
The factory worker drives into Singapore every weekday. Once he nears Tuas Checkpoint, he will try to position his motorcycle on the side of the road that will be diverted to the departure zone.
Mr Tevendran, 22, who washes and polishes cars in Singapore, said his wait is now 10 minutes shorter, giving him some time to have breakfast.
ICA said it will continue to study Operation Sunrise's impact over the next six months, and is also exploring the feasibility of a similar diversion at Woodlands Checkpoint, which is undergoing expansion.
Article Credits: CNA
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