ICA also began a trial on Monday to make the ride for school buses leaving Singapore a smoother one in the evenings. -- PHOTO: ZAOBAO

The checks, which will also include inspections of all vehicles entering and leaving the exit points, will go on until fugitive terrorist Mas Selamat Kastari is caught, it added.

But the ICA also announced two moves to improve those driving out of Singapore - it will put up portable toilets along the land checkpoints, and offer a less congested route for school buses to take students across the Causeway.

Previously, not all passengers leaving the checkpoints were subject to biometric identification. However, all adults will now need to have their fingerprints scanned. Only infants and children are exempted.

Fingerprint scanning is also done for those entering the country, but on a random basis. Another stepped-up measure: every vehicle at the gateways will also be inspected.

'Every vehicle will now be 100 per cent checked. Our officers will comb every seat, luggage and battery compartment.' said Deputy Commander Tan Kong Hui of the Woodlands Checkpoint, the busiest exit point on the island. These stepped-up checks since the massive manhunt have caused huge delays in travelling time.

Clearing the border checkpoint now takes up to an extra four hours for coaches, and up to an hour more for cars and cabs. The delay is even longer - an extra eight hours - for heavy vehicles like trucks.

But the ICA has roped in the National Environment Agency to help ease the waiting time of vehicles stuck in the congestions.

Since last Friday, about six portable toilets were put up along the road that leads to the Woodlands checkpoint , while several has been placed at Tuas.

ICA also began a trial on Monday to make the ride for school buses leaving Singapore a smoother one in the evenings.

It is recommending an alternative route for these buses - mostly the distinctive yellow Bas Sekolah (Malay for school bus) - to take so that it can avoid the evening traffic crush.