Johor-Singapore land crossings to see at least 50,000 travellers a day, says exco man

Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex (CIQ) after midnight here.

JOHOR BARU: Some 50,000 travellers are expected to use the two land crossings between Johor and Singapore daily following the reopening of the border from Friday (April 1).

State works, transportation and infrastructure committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh said the estimate was based on data from the Second Link and Causeway before the border was closed at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic two years ago.

“Based on the numbers we have from pre-pandemic times, we estimate it to be about 50,000 a day. It may be more than that.

"The number also depends on whether there are any major events or holidays,” he said at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex (CIQ) here on Friday.

Mohamad Fazli was speaking to the press while waiting for the arrival of Malaysians from Singapore with state youth, sports, entrepreneur development, cooperatives and human resources committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah and health and unity committee chairman Ling Tian Soon.

He noted that the state government would also be providing free shuttle buses for pedestrians at the immigration points on the Malaysia side.

“The free shuttle buses are being provided temporarily as we wait for public transportation services to go into full swing. It is being provided from 6am on Friday and will be available for one month.

“The buses would make U-turns between the checkpoints at both the BSI and Sultan Abu Bakar Complex to carry passengers who do not have transport across the border,” he said.

Mohd Hairi said some 130 Southern Volunteers have also been deployed at both complexes to help officers there.

“They will also be helping travellers with their bags and provide any assistance needed at the two buildings.

“They will be working on four shifts and we may increase the number of volunteers if needed,” he said, adding that the volunteers would be around for a week to ensure the border reopening goes smoothly.

Thousands of travellers, including pedestrians, were seen making their way from Singapore into Johor since late Thursday night.