JOHOR BARU: It was all smooth-sailing at the Woodlands checkpoint here today as the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA) only opened up two counters to try out its thumbprint scanning system.
The New Straits Times team which went across the Johor-Singapore Causeway discovered that the BioScreen scanning system will be introduced at all counters for foreign travellers in June.
Most of the manned counters at Woodlands today were still using the usual passport clearance method.
P. Geraldine, 35, a Malaysian who travels to Singapore daily for work, said she believed the thumbprint system, when fully enforced, will not be a hassle.
"I have been working in Singapore for over a year and it is easy for me as I do not need to go through the lanes for people who still have to use the white disembarkation card.
"It may have some teething problems at the beginning as even children as young as six years have to go through the scanning system, but in time, the people will get used to it," Geraldine said.
The ICA had said on Monday that the BioScreen system will be implemented at the manned counters within passenger halls of both the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints starting today.
A check with bus companies revealed there were no traffic jams despite of the newly-rolled out scanning system.