Average Processing Time for Bus Travellers at Land Checkpoints
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the processing times for bus travellers at land checkpoints using QR codes versus passports, as raised by Mr Fadli Fawzi. Minister of State Goh Pei Ming stated that QR code clearance takes an average of 10 seconds compared to 13 seconds for passport clearance. He noted that all automated lanes are currently enabled for both clearance modes, with QR-only designations occurring only when there is a specific operational necessity. Minister of State Goh Pei Ming added that fixed lane designations are avoided to maintain flexibility for travellers who may face difficulties using the MyICA Mobile application. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority is continuously reviewing its processes to enhance the traveller experience while ensuring that border security is not compromised.
Transcript
21 Mr Fadli Fawzi asked the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what is the average number of seconds taken to process travellers at the bus halls of the land checkpoints using (i) QR code clearance and (ii) passport clearance, respectively; (b) what percentage of clearance lanes are QR code clearance only; and (c) how is this percentage determined.
The Minister of State for Home Affairs (Mr Goh Pei Ming) (for the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs): On average, QR code clearance and passport clearance at the bus halls of the land checkpoints take approximately 10 seconds and 13 seconds respectively.
All Automated Border Clearance System lanes at the bus halls are enabled for both QR code and passport clearance. The lanes will be designated to offer QR code clearance only if there is an operational need to do so.
Mr Speaker: Mr Fadli.
Mr Fadli Fawzi (Aljunied): Thank you for the reply. Does the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) change the percentage of clearance lanes that are QR only during peak hours, or when there are a lot of travellers who may not have downloaded the MyICA Mobile app, such as leisure or elderly travellers? And what steps is the ICA taking to encourage downloading of MyICA Mobile app for QR code clearance?
Mr Goh Pei Ming: I thank the Member for the two questions. Firstly, in terms of all the lanes, as I have said earlier my response, all the lanes are enabled for QR code and passport clearances. We are still in the process of encouraging more members of public to use QR code, because QR code clearance is faster than passport clearance.
We do find that having to designate, perhaps QR code only or passport only clearances is not the most practicable, because there are certain members of public who may not have gotten the QR code application done properly and actually, the process of going back to using only passport takes even longer.
I reassure the Member of the House that the ICA is constantly reviewing our operational processes to ensure that checkpoint operations are smooth and that we will do as much as we can to enhance the traveller experience. All these, taking into account the need to balance and make sure that we do not compromise border security.