Faster clearance for motorcyclists at checkpoints

More automated clearance systems will be set up at land checkpoints by the end of next year to tackle the rising number of travellers. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has put up a tender for the installation of more automated clearance facilities for motorcyclists to help them clear immigration faster.

The biometric system will allow travellers to independently scan thumbprints and have passports verified by a machine. 

Speaking to The Straits Times, spokesman for the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said, "These automated counters will significantly speed up motorcycle immigration clearance, and help reduce congestion".

The system will also allow ICA to "re-deploy officers to other critical tasks, such as screening travellers with high-risk profiles", she added.

On top of adding more automated counters, the existing manual motorcycle counters will be equipped with such clearance facilities. It also aims to replace existing automated counters that can clear only a single rider with counters that can clear both the biker and the pillion rider at one go.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Teo Chee Hean said in Parliament last month that automated counters would speed up motorcycle immigration clearance by as much as 30 percent.

Currently, there are 105 manual and 43 automated counters for motorcyclists at the two checkpoints combined.

Automated counters for bikers were introduced in 2006 at Tuas and 2007 at Woodlands.

ICA said there will be 164 automated counters by the end of next year. The project will take place over three phases. Each clearance lane will also have features such as drop-arm barriers and surveillance cameras.

More than 72,000 motorcycles go through the checkpoints daily, said DPM Teo last year. In addition, the tender called for measures to detect and prevent tailgating among motorcyclists, noting that it was a common problem.