With Shorter Lines in San Ysidro, Car Crossing Volume has Increased 19%

Politicians on both sides of the border praise shorter lines at San Ysidro Port of Entry

It has now been almost two weeks since eight additional lanes were opened up at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, causing border wait times to dramatically decrease. Border crossers are ecstatic, and so are politicians in both the U.S. and Mexico. Construction is still ongoing, and up to two lanes may be closed from time to time, but unless staffing decreases it is expected that these reduced wait times will be the new norm for the region.

The additional lanes have not only caused border wait times to drastically drop, but this has also resulted in an increased number of border crossers. When comparing the average hourly vehicle volumes crossing northbound at San Ysidro during September before the lanes opened on September 17, compared to the rest of the month, the volume of border crossers has increased by 19%.

Courtesy: Crossborder Group
Courtesy: Crossborder Group

According to Kenn Morris, President of the Crossborder Group, "as recently as mid-July, Crossborder Group recorded border waits of over 4 hours during peak times. If we didn't know it before, we know it now: you need staffing and smart investment in border infrastructure to make a crossborder economy work. Since CBP began this effort, the average number of cars crossing at San Ysidro POE has increased 19% -- that means a lot more shopping and tourism to boost the economies on both sides of the border."

In addition to more shopping and tourism, the shorter wait times are bound to benefit productivity in the region. Workers who would typically have to arrive at the border three hours or more before their shift have now gained a couple more hours in their life. Perhaps they will use the additional time to get in a morning workout, or eat breakfast on a plate instead of in their cars while they idle in line, or maybe arrive at work earlier and put in a couple more hours. The possibilities and benefits of reduced wait times for the cross-border region are endless.

Politicians on both sides of the border are also expressing their happiness with the results. San Diego Councilmember David Alvarez says he is "very excited to see the first improvements of the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry Modernization reduce border crossing times. I am looking forward to the next phase of improvements for pedestrians. Treating people with dignity and respect at our border, and reducing wait times, both play a crucial role in the economic development of our cities, San Diego and Tijuana. We still have work to do to complete this $732 million project at the busiest border crossing in the world. Local, State and Federals officials are working with the community and we welcome people to get involved in these efforts."

The relief comes just a couple months before the busy holiday season, and it will be interesting to see whether shorter border waits and increased crossing volume will increase sales results in businesses in South County San Diego. It will also be interesting to see whether the shorter driving times will have any impact on pedestrian lines. The next phases of construction at the San Ysidro Port of Entry include an improved pedestrian processing facility but, until then, pedestrians continue to experience hours-long wait times. Unfortunately, for many pedestrian border crossers, a car is simply not an option, and they will have to continue to wait out the lines until construction is complete. Or, not cross at all.

The border is more than just a dividing line in this region, and border efficiency directly correlates with economic vitality. According to Baja California Representative Juan Manuel Gastelum, the willingness of the U.S. to reduce wait times is "a clear message that they have listened to the cries of the people," and as the wheels of the crossborder economy continue to turn to benefit this region, he hopes that the United States will "keep it up."

One user on Twitter called her thirty minute wait on a Saturday night a "miracle". Sunday evening wait times which often times surge to close to four hours were reportedly under an hour this weekend in both the READY and Standard lanes. The shorter wait times will not only bring positive results for the U.S., but for Mexico as well. With an extra three or four hours, visitors have enough time to catch a movie, visit a museum, or go out for lunch before heading back home. With Tijuana's food tourism sector gaining strength, it helps that tourists can come south on a day trip without the dread of an hours long border wait.

Many cross-border commuters have stated that they still don't trust the border line, which is chronically unpredictable, and so they are still showing up at the border at the same time as before out of fear that the shorter wait times of the past few days were just a dream. After more than a decade of long border wait times, it will take a while for border crossers to get used to measuring their commute in terms of minutes instead of hours.

borderzonie@gmail.com

Comments

  • Facebook

  • SanDiegoRed

 
 
  • New

  • Best

    Recent News more

    Subir
    Advertising