Woodgrove Halloween traffic jams annoy PHV driver

“I know it’s a one year event, but it’s happening every year. I really pity the residents there,” he says.

Speaking to Stomp, the driver, who wished to be known only as Stanley, said he was caught in heavy traffic as he was travelling along Woodlands Avenue 2, Woodlands Avenue 1, and Woodlands Street 31.

The full-time PHV driver and funeral director said vehicles were stopping and parking illegally along the roadside.

Acknowledging that Halloween happens once a year, Stanley said he had expected traffic police to be on hand to manage and ease congestion.

Netizens divided over driver’s complaints

The TikTok video has garnered more than 56,000 views and 60 comments, with netizens expressing mixed reactions.

Many sympathise with the driver, with some suggesting that traffic police should have been deployed to better manage the congestion.

“There should probably be some perimeters around this yearly event,” one user commented.

Another wondered how residents cope with the disruption to their neighbourhood.

Others question whether the driver is making too much of an issue over a once-a-year celebration.

“Aiya once a year only, close one eye lah,” a user wrote.

Some also suggested that he avoid driving into the neighbourhood during future Halloween celebrations.

Visitors advised to walk in instead of driving

Speaking to Stomp, first-time visitor who wished to be known only as Oliver said he arrived at Woodgrove at around 5.45pm on Oct 31, by which time the crowds were already building up.

The 48-year-old engineer said he took the MRT to Marsiling station before walking to the neighbourhood.

Addressing the PHV driver’s complaints, Oliver said visitors would be better off walking in, describing the crowds as “massive”, with some people crossing the road “without due care”.

He added that he helped guide some drivers through the area, alerting pedestrians when vehicles were approaching.

Another visitor, Uzen Tan, told Stomp that the crowd was manageable between 5.30pm and 6pm, but became “super crowded” around 7pm. He had left by then.

The marketing assistant manager said he drove to the area and parked at the opposite blocks.

As he was leaving, he saw the queue to enter Woodgrove stretch all the way to the SLE.

A Woodlands resident who wished to be known only as Nina told Stomp she is familiar with Woodgrove’s annual Halloween celebrations, although she lives some distance away.

The 35-year-old marketing executive said she had driven past the area before and could see how congested the roads were, even from a distance.

Nina said the PHV driver’s frustration was understandable, particularly as he was ferrying an elderly passenger.

“But it’s an annual event that residents should anticipate, and it’s just unfortunate that he got caught unaware,” she said.

Nina added that motorists should be mindful of the heavy traffic and crowds during such events and avoid driving into the area where possible.

She also suggested deploying auxiliary police officers to help manage traffic flow during the festivities.

Have something to say? Join in!