Leonardo González Reyes
A new border-crossing arrangement for motorcycles got off to a slow start at San Ysidro on Tuesday, with riders reporting waits of up to one hour during the first hours of operation.
The dedicated access, introduced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), opened at 4 a.m. on September 8 near Lane 15. It is scheduled to remain available on weekdays between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m.
For some riders who use motorcycles to commute across the border, the first morning raised concerns about how the new setup will affect their daily trips.
The First Morning Brings Mixed Results
CBP introduced the dedicated motorcycle access with the stated goal of making traffic at the San Ysidro port of entry move more efficiently.
But during the first morning, riders interviewed at the crossing described lengthy waits before reaching the inspection areas. For people who cross regularly, even a temporary delay can make a noticeable difference to their commute.
The experience also comes with some precedent. San Ysidro has used separate arrangements for motorcycles in previous years, and those measures have generated mixed reactions among riders.
What Riders Should Know
The dedicated entrance is currently intended for weekday morning crossings and is located near Lane 15.
CBP is asking riders to follow the signs marking the motorcycle access and comply with instructions from border officers as they approach the inspection area.
Whether the new arrangement ultimately reduces congestion remains to be seen, but its first day showed that motorcycle commuters may need to account for significant waits while using the new access.
