A private-hire vehicle (PHV) driver has complained about being stuck in traffic for nearly 45 minutes while dropping off an elderly passenger at Woodgrove during its annual Halloween festivities.<\/p>\n
In a TikTok video posted on Nov 1, user @lonewolf2323 shared his experience driving into the area on Oct 31.<\/p>\n
Woodgrove<\/a>, a residential estate in Woodlands, is known for its annual Halloween street party, which draws large crowds of visitors every year.<\/p>\n In the video, the driver says he picked up an elderly passenger who lived in Woodgrove but was caught in heavy traffic<\/a> while trying to take her home.<\/p>\n He says he felt sorry for the woman, adding that he was unable to enter her carpark because of the congestion, which he attributes to the large number of vehicles entering and leaving the area, as well as motorists who were \u201cnot giving way\u201d.<\/p>\n After nearly 45 minutes, the passenger asked to be dropped off so she could make her way home on foot at her own pace.<\/p>\n \u201cI couldn\u2019t move my car. It was just stuck. I was just inching forward little bit by little bit,\u201d<\/a> he says.<\/p>\n While stressing that he is not against the Halloween<\/a> festivities, the driver urges visitors to leave their cars at home and take public transport instead, noting that Woodgrove is accessible by MRT and public buses<\/a>.<\/p>\n He says the narrow roads, coupled with residents parking outside their homes, make it difficult for vehicles to pass through.<\/p>\n He adds that the influx of visitors also affects access to nearby condominiums.<\/p>\n \u201cYou guys park there, residents come back and they can\u2019t park there,\u201d he says, claiming that even motorcycle and parking lots reserved for people with disabilities were occupied.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat if people want to use those lots?\u201d he questions. \u201cThey are deprived of it because of your selfish acts.\u201d<\/p>\n Lonewolf2323 also raises concerns about emergency vehicle access, wondering how an ambulance would get through if an emergency occurred during the congestion.<\/p>\n \u201cHow are these cars going to give way to the ambulance?\u201d he asks.<\/p>\n He reiterates his call for visitors to take public transport to Woodgrove instead. He also urges families to plan ahead of the annual event, noting that they can take PHVs<\/a> if needed.<\/p>\n \u201cI know it\u2019s a one year event, but it\u2019s happening every year. I really pity the residents there,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The full-time PHV driver and funeral director said vehicles were stopping and parking illegally along the roadside.<\/p>\n Acknowledging that Halloween happens once a year, Stanley said he had expected traffic police to be on hand to manage and ease congestion.<\/p>\n Woodgrove is known for its annual Halloween street party, which draws large crowds celebrating the occasion.<\/p>\n PHOTO: DARENYOONG\/INSTAGRAM<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n The TikTok video has garnered more than 56,000 views and 60 comments, with netizens expressing mixed reactions.<\/p>\n Many sympathise with the driver, with some suggesting that traffic police should have been deployed to better manage the congestion.<\/p>\n \u201cThere should probably be some perimeters around this yearly event,\u201d one user commented.<\/p>\n Another wondered how residents cope with the disruption to their neighbourhood.<\/p>\n Others question whether the driver is making too much of an issue over a once-a-year celebration.<\/p>\n \u201cAiya once a year only, close one eye lah,\u201d a user wrote.<\/p>\n Some also suggested that he avoid driving into the neighbourhood during future Halloween celebrations.<\/p>\n \u201cAiya once a year only, close one eye lah,\u201d a user wrote.<\/p>\n PHOTOS: STOMP<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n 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.<\/p>\n The 48-year-old engineer said he took the MRT to Marsiling<\/a> station before walking to the neighbourhood.<\/p>\n Addressing the PHV driver\u2019s complaints, Oliver said visitors would be better off walking in, describing the crowds as \u201cmassive\u201d, with some people crossing the road \u201cwithout due care\u201d.<\/p>\n He added that he helped guide some drivers through the area, alerting pedestrians when vehicles were approaching.<\/p>\n Another visitor, Uzen Tan, told Stomp that the crowd was manageable between 5.30pm and 6pm, but became \u201csuper crowded\u201d around 7pm. He had left by then.<\/p>\n The marketing assistant manager said he drove to the area and parked at the opposite blocks.<\/p>\n As he was leaving, he saw the queue to enter Woodgrove stretch all the way to the SLE.<\/p>\n A Woodlands resident who wished to be known only as Nina told Stomp she is familiar with Woodgrove\u2019s annual Halloween celebrations, although she lives some distance away.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Nina said the PHV driver\u2019s frustration was understandable, particularly as he was ferrying an elderly<\/a> passenger.<\/p>\n \u201cBut it\u2019s an annual event that residents should anticipate, and it\u2019s just unfortunate that he got caught unaware,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Nina added that motorists should be mindful of the heavy traffic and crowds during such events and avoid driving into the area where possible.<\/p>\n She also suggested deploying auxiliary police officers to help manage traffic flow during the festivities.<\/p>\n Have something to say? Join in!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Explore more on these topics<\/p>\n<\/div>\nElderly passenger gets out to walk home amid traffic jam<\/h2>\n
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Netizens divided over driver\u2019s complaints<\/h2>\n
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Visitors advised to walk in instead of driving<\/h2>\n
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