Tijuana’s Economic Development Office has released additional details about the city’s new Fast-Lane Border Crossing Program for cross-border workers, an initiative designed to reduce wait times for those who commute regularly to the United States.
Speaking at a press conference, Pedro Montejo Peterson, head of the Economic Development Secretariat, said officials aim to enroll at least 100 participants to launch a pilot phase of the program. The initial rollout will allow authorities to measure its impact and make adjustments before a broader expansion.
Montejo Peterson said the city expects to reach the required number of registered participants within the next two weeks, with the pilot scheduled to begin roughly a month later. Applications, he added, are expected to be approved within 48 hours.
Pilot Phase and Crossing Routes
Under the program, participants will be able to use designated lanes at the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa ports of entry.
At San Ysidro, crossings will be available through the Ready Lane daily from midnight to 8 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. A separate All Traffic lane will operate during the same hours from Monday through Thursday.
At the Otay Mesa crossing, the All Traffic lane will be available 24 hours a day.
Pricing and Options
The program offers two monthly subscription options. A plan limited to the Otay Mesa crossing will cost 10,748 pesos (about $630 USD). A second option, which includes access to both San Ysidro lanes and Otay Mesa, will cost 15,840 pesos (about $925 USD).
Both plans allow up to two daily crossings and permit registration of up to two vehicles, with a maximum of four passengers per vehicle.
Montejo Peterson noted that the multi-crossing plan offers discounts for carpooling. If four registered participants share a single vehicle, the monthly cost can be reduced by approximately 3,960 pesos (around $230 USD). Officials say the incentive is meant to reduce the number of vehicles crossing while keeping prices competitive.
Improving Daily Commutes
City officials say the program responds to the reality faced by many cross-border workers who begin lining up at ports of entry in the early morning hours. By offering a faster option, the city hopes participants will spend less time waiting at the border and more time resting or with their families.
Pre-registration for the program is now open at fastlane.tijuana.gob.mx.
