You may have come across the news from months ago to recent times discussing the persistent traffic jams between Singapore and Malaysia.
With traffic congestion being a prominent issue, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is actively seeking a solution to improve clearance efficiency at car lanes and enhance the overall immigration clearance process for car travellers.
As a part of this effort, it has been recently announced that multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) will now be directed to use the bus lanes at Tuas Checkpoint instead of the lanes designated for cars.
ICA Announced Larger Cars to Use Bus Lanes at Tuas Checkpoint
On Wednesday (3 January 2024), the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) announced that as of 2 January 2024, larger multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs), including models like Hyundai Starex, Hyundai Staria, Toyota Vellfire, Toyota Alphard, and Maxus, may be redirected to the bus lanes at Tuas Checkpoint instead of the car lanes.
This announcement was made through a Facebook post by ICA, addressing the concerns and observations they had noted.
They pointed out that these particular MPVs function more like minivans or buses, with a capacity to accommodate 12 to 16 passengers.
As a result, the process of clearing these passengers takes considerably longer than standard cars, justifying the decision to divert them to bus lanes.
In the same post, ICA said: “Diverting such large MPVs to the bus lanes will speed up immigration clearance for both large MPVs and other cars, thus enhancing the overall experience for all travellers. Smaller MPVs can continue to clear immigration through the car lanes.”
Passengers in MPVs to Alight to Clear Immigration
Under the new measure, passengers travelling in MPVs must alight with their luggage and proceed to the bus hall for immigration clearance before re-entering their MPVs to resume their journeys.
This process is similar to the one followed by buses and passenger vans when crossing the checkpoint.
While passengers in MPVs are expected to alight for immigration clearance, the ICA has stated that for individuals with mobility constraints, the elderly, pregnant women, or young children, ICA officers will facilitate on-board immigration clearance via the bus lanes.
The ICA also noted that it had explored similar initiatives at Woodlands Checkpoint to alleviate congestion in the car zones. However, operational constraints related to the differing terrain make implementation unfeasible.
MPV Drivers Shared Encounters on Facebook Groups
According to The Straits Times, discussions about MPVs being redirected to bus lanes emerged on 2 January 2024 in various Facebook groups frequented by travellers between Singapore and Malaysia.
The ICA then confirmed they were in the process of an ongoing trial.
Messages circulating within WhatsApp chat groups for limousine drivers indicated that specific MPV models are “required” to use bus lanes for immigration clearance at Tuas Checkpoint.
The mentioned vehicle models include Hyundai Starex, Hyundai Staria, Maxus, Toyota Alphard, and Toyota Vellfire, all of which are larger MPVs designed to accommodate six or more passengers.
The Straits Times contacted the ICA to verify the affected car models and additional information about the trial, including its purpose, duration, and whether the requirement exclusively applies to Tuas Checkpoint or extends to Woodlands Checkpoint.
While Toyota-branded MPV models are prevalent in Singapore and Malaysia, the other brands and models mentioned are more commonly associated with Malaysian-registered vehicles.
MPV Driver Considers Switching to Other Vehicles
In an interview with Shin Min Daily News, a cross-border chauffeur who uses an MPV for his services expressed his surprise regarding the new measure.
He mentioned that he might consider switching to another car if the measure becomes a permanent fixture.
In a separate account, a Malaysian woman shared with Shin Min that using the bus lane in her MPV appeared to result in a faster clearance process than using the regular car lane.
According to the ICA, between 15 December 2023 and 17 December 2023, the daily border crossings approached approximately 435,000, marking an increase of nearly 30,000 compared to the same period in 2019.
In light of these figures, the ICA recommended that motorists consult traffic updates on platforms such as the Land Transport Authority’s OneMotoring website, ICA’s Facebook page, or local radio broadcasts before commencing their journeys.