WOODLANDS CHECKPOINT (Supervision to ease jams)

Column: 3431

WOODLANDS CHECKPOINT:

(Supervision to ease jams): The following Question stood in the name of Mr Chiam See Tong -

Column: 3432

8. To ask the Minister for Home Affairs whether he will consider putting in more supervision at the Woodlands checkpoint to ease the jam and crowding of Singaporeans returning to Singapore by bus, especially during the weekends.

Mr Steve Chia Kiah Hong: Question No. 8, Sir.

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Sir, our checkpoints safeguard our safety and security. Since September 2001, security checks at all our checkpoints have been stepped up to prevent the entry of undesirable persons, weapons and explosives.

While these checks have initially caused some congestion at our checkpoints, the situation has gradually improved, as we adjusted and fine-tuned the system. Travellers are cleared as quickly as possible. However, it is inevitable that there may still be some inconvenience during peak hours when the traffic builds up. The resulting inconvenience is a small price to pay to ensure Singapore's security.

The clearance time is not lengthened because of lack of supervision. It is the result of the sheer number of travellers.

Let me assure Mr Chiam that ICA closely monitors traffic conditions at the checkpoints. During periods when traffic is particularly heavy, ICA opens up more clearance counters. All available manpower is deployed to clear the congestion. For example, if there is a build up of bus passengers, more officers will be deployed to the bus arrival hall to clear the passengers. In addition, ICA has staggered the shifts of its officers to better accommodate the traffic patterns. ICA can also call upon off-duty officers to return to help during times when there is an unexpectedly heavy volume of travellers. To further speed up baggage

Column: 3433

screening, ICA has just installed an additional x-ray machine at the bus arrival hall.

Travellers can play their part by adjusting their travel plans to avoid peak periods where possible. Travellers can call the traffic information hotlines or listen in to TrafficWatch on the radio to find out the latest traffic conditions at the Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints

.: