WASHINGTON — The Bush Administration has scrapped a plan to require passports from any traveler entering the U.S. via land. However, it will instead mandate a new smaller, less expensive, biometric identity card in order to cross the border from Canada or Mexico.

The new PASS card (People Access Security Service) — part of the statutory Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative — will be issued to registered American travellers starting in late 2006, and will be required for travel on Jan. 1, 2008.

Passports are still not needed to enter the
US, but get ready for a new ID card

Truckers or travellers already screened and registered under programs such as FAST, NEXUS and SENTRI will continue to be able to use these services.

The U.S. expects Canada to follow suit and issue its own version of the PASS card. Canadian officials hinted they would indeed work on a Canadian card this year.

However, if it does not, Canadians visiting the U.S. would have to spring for a traditional passport by the end of 2007, which can cost as much as $80 and must be renewed every five years.

The proposal for a less expensive, more user-friendly card came after months of criticism from lawmakers and trade industry groups on both sides of the border.

Trucking groups like the Canadian Trucking Alliance and the American Trucking Associations have urged U.S. lawmakers to scrap the passport rule for truckers.

The ATA has joined its Canadian counterpart in urging the government to consider certain existing federal credentials in lieu of passports, such as Free and Secure Trade (FAST) IDs, the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), and other appropriate government issued identifications and screening programs.