U.S. Senator Charles Schumer wants to ease the heavy congestion at the region's international border crossings. Schumer appeared at the Peace Bridge in Buffalo Monday. He is urging Americans and Canadians to get Nexus passes.
Easing those border delays could encourage more Canadians to visit the Western New York region -- that could generate a better local economy. Schumer notes that it's not only Americans who avoid crossing the borders because of wait times.
"Well Canadians say it even more and that deprives their dollars of being spent here in New York, particular with the exchange rate as good as it is. If we had less traffic (at the crossings) we would have more dollars, more jobs and more growth in our Western New York economy," said Schumer.
Nexus cards can offer a faster passage at the borders. But Senator Schumer admits the process to receive a card is difficult. The only local enrollment center is located next to the Whirlpool Bridge in Niagara Falls -- Schumer is now encouraging both sides of the border to set up mobile NEXUS sites.
"I'm asking Canadian and American authorities to set up mobile NEXUS enrollment centers. It could be a van," said Schumer.
Arlene White is with the BiNational Tourism Alliance. She joined the Senator is his call for increased Nexus usage. She said all sides must be involved with the process in order to make the border crossings a smoother transition for travelers.
"And if we can make sure that we let people know the right identification to use...we will be able to induce people to come back to these border crossings," said White.
Senator Schumer is urging both the American and Canadian Governments to increase ready lanes at the borders. He is also calling on the Canadian Governement to provided more enhanced documents to its citizens.