Johor's term-two break ended on 6 September, but evening Causeway jams did not get the memo. Families still clearing immigration after sunset this week are stacking behind office traffic—and the infrastructure meant to replace some of those car trips, the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System Link, is still months from carrying fare-paying passengers. What exists now is a mesh of ICA travel warnings, Woodlands roadworks, and bus planning that will eventually crystallise as Service 968 from Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange to Woodlands North station.
Holiday traffic without a holiday calendar
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority told travellers on 31 August to expect very heavy volumes from 4 to 14 September, Singapore's school-holiday window, and to favour early mornings or late evenings. Live cameras on 6 September showed tailbacks returning around 7pm and easing only near 10.04pm, according to AsiaOne checks. Another Malaysian-side backlog on 18 September reminded motorists that congestion can spike outside official breaks—exactly when cross-border shoppers linger for dinner before heading home.
On the Malaysian academic calendar, Group B schools—including Johor—were back in class on 7 September after the 29 August to 6 September break. Singapore pupils, meanwhile, are one day from PSLE English papers. The overlap produces hybrid peaks: Malaysian commuters plus Singapore families squeezing in last-minute errands before exam week.
Where the RTS shuttle fits
Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow announced on 20 September that LTA will introduce Service 968 under the Bus Connectivity Enhancement Programme to link Woodlands interchange with Woodlands North, Woodlands South, and Admiralty MRT stations ahead of the RTS opening slated for 2027. LTA has not published final timetables, but trunk buses in the area already run past 11pm on several routes—capacity evening travellers can use once they clear Woodlands Checkpoint instead of crawling along the BKE looking for parking.
On the Johor side, Bukit Chagar's RTS terminus connects to JB Sentral through a completed pedestrian bridge, while Anthony Loke said Malaysia will add roughly 200 public buses around residential catchments when passenger service starts and build a RM60 million link from KTM's JB Sentral platforms into the RTS concourse. KTM's Shuttle Selatan continues limited evening departures toward Pasir Gudang and Kulai via Kempas Baru, but tickets remain separate from anything Singapore sells.
What to do on a Tuesday night run
Drivers should follow ICA's standing guidance: check OneMotoring and ICA feeds before leaving, expect longer security screening since February's tightened posture, and cooperate with marshals around Woodlands Checkpoint redevelopment. Riders should plan Woodlands North as the first rail touchpoint—walk or bus from the interchange rather than looping the checkpoint fringe in a private hire car.
When Service 968 launches with confirmed evening headways, it will function as the Causeway-facing RTS shuttle long before the cross-border train sells tickets. Until then, the practical story is simpler: treat late September like ICA's advisory still applies, and budget an MRT connection once the tailback breaks. The strait crossing will eventually take six minutes by rail; this week it still takes however long immigration needs, plus the bus ride to Woodlands North.
