Queues Appear On Thursday Night & Friday Morning As Malaysians Return Home For Long Weekend
As the Good Friday long weekend approached, travellers were warned of heavy traffic across the Singapore-Malaysia land borders.
Considering the long queues in Johor Baru (JB) last weekend, that was probably good advice — except that it was the turn of Woodlands to be packed.
Predictably, the crush started the night before Good Friday, and continued the next morning.
Source: Facebook
The crowd was so big that it led to the bus stop nearby being skipped.
Crowd started on 14 Apr night
As Malaysian workers in Singapore looked forward to the long weekend, many would’ve decided to head home to their families.
Singaporeans may have similarly decided to cross over to JB for some shopping and eating.
Thus, crowds started forming outside the Woodlands Checkpoint as early as 6.45pm on Thursday (14 Apr), according to photos and videos shared on the Malaysia-Singapore Border Crossers Facebook group.
Source: Facebook
At 7pm, it could be observed that the queue had stretched out onto the pavement and grass patches leading up to the checkpoint.
Source: Facebook
At about 7.26pm, the nearest bus stop to Woodlands Checkpoint was packed with people who’d just alighted.
As night fell, the crowd persisted. At 8.15pm, the queue had folded in upon itself several times.
Source: Facebook
SMRT skips bus stop
At 10.19pm, SMRT posted on Facebook that its buses would skip the nearest bus stop to Woodlands Train Checkpoint temporarily.
Source: SMRT on Facebook
The reason was overcrowding along the road.
However, at 10.55pm, there was no let up in the crowds at the area.
Source: Facebook
The queue just simply took over the bus stop.
Source: Facebook
At 11.20pm, SMRT said they resumed bus services to the bus stop.
Soruce: SMRT on Facebook
By 12.05am on Friday (15 Apr), the queue had thankfully eased significantly.
Source: Facebook
Perhaps heading out to the checkpoint early wasn’t such a good idea after all, as many people seemingly had the same idea.
More crowds on Good Friday morning
More congestion was to come the next morning, though.
The long queue returned early at 7.40am on Good Friday, as travellers tried their luck again.
Source: FacebookBy 8.30am, the familiar folded queue had re-emerged.
Source: Facebook
One netizen lamented that this round, however, queuers had to contend with rain too.
Source: Facebook
The bus stop was also back to its overcrowded self, though there was no word from SMRT about skipping the stop.
Source: Facebook
It’s uncertain how people managed to get off the buses, though, as the queue spilled over onto the road.
Source: Facebook
As some were carrying umbrellas due to the rain, it made the squeeze even more difficult to bear.
Source: Facebook
At 9.30am, the crowd was still solid.
Source: Facebook
Thankfully, judging from another video, the queue at least seemed to be moving fast at 9 plus.
The crowdedness even extended to Marsiling MRT, were people queued to hop on buses to the Woodlands Checkpoint.
Source: Facebook
Crowded in JB too
The crowds were not limited to Woodlands, though, with the immigration counters over at the JB customs side seeing long queues.
Source: Facebook
Meanwhile, the Causeway was also jammed with cars in the direction going to JB, while the direction heading to Woodlands was almost empty.
Source: Facebook
However, at 10.04am, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) posted that the heavy departure traffic at Woodlands had subsided — referring presumably to vehicular traffic.
Source: ICA on Facebook
Stay safe while crossing border
Due to the long weekend, it’s understandable that many would want to see their families and engage in some R&R, especially since the borders have just opened.
However, as you’re making the short journey across the border, do stay safe and remain orderly as you wait.
After all, nobody wants to spend the days off falling sick due to the rain or worse – injured from an accident.
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Featured images adapted from Malaysia-Singapore Border Crossers on Facebook.
