Improved BSI eases Causeway congestion

Improved traffic : Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi (left) conducting a spot check at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex in Johor Baru.

JOHOR BARU: There’s been smoother traffic on the Causeway thanks to welcome improvements at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex here.

Factory operator Low Pei Fan, 39, said traffic flow had improved and benefited Malaysians travelling daily for work in the island republic.

“Sometimes, due to the congestion at the CIQ, I arrive late to work in Singapore.

“Hopefully, congestion at BSI will continue to ease because there are lots of Malaysians crossing the border early in the morning,” she said.

Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi assured that the traffic situation at the complex would get better.

Among the measures implemented were for all counters to be fully operational and no rotation of staff members during peak hours.

Khairul Mohd Ali, 38, said crossing to Singapore for Hari Raya Aidilfitri last weekend was very smooth.

“There were seven of us in our multi-purpose vehicle travelling to visit our relatives in Singapore for a Hari Raya gathering.

“It took me just under an hour to clear the checks at BSI, which is surprisingly fast. It used to take us at least three hours because of the congestion.”

Technician L.Subramaniam, 43, said the improvements should continue at BSI to make it easier for travellers.

“Authorities at BSI should make sure that everything is working, from Immigration counters to escalators,” he said.

Subramaniam attributed the improvements to Onn Hafiz’s recent visit to BSI.

“But no matter who comes to visit, the system here should already be in place,” he added.

Onn Hafiz visited BSI early yesterday morning which was his fourth visit within the space of two weeks.

“I am confident that good monitoring and coordination can reduce this congestion issue.

“In addition, I also hope that the maintenance work at BSI can be done more efficiently,” he said this in a Facebook post.

On Tuesday, Onn Hafiz also said several matters were discussed and agreed between the state government and Home Ministry to help ease the traffic congestion at the Causeway and Second Link.

He added that the Johor and federal governments would continue to be committed to improving the present system to help ease traffic congestion further and bring betterment for Malaysians.