OTA investigating Port Huron crossing complaints

TORONTO — The Ontario Trucking Association has installed a survey collection station inside the US Customs-secondary processing facility at the Blue Water Bridge and wants to hear about truckers’ experiences at the crossing.

OTA is inviting all truck drivers who cross at Port Huron-Sarnia location over the next three months to complete the survey.

Drivers are asked on the survey to share details such as time and date of crossing; how often they cross at Port Huron; whether they were treated in a professional manner by staff; length of wait time and whether adequate seating was provided. Drivers are also encouraged to write additional comments in a space provided.

The association plans to discuss the feedback received with US Customs Border Protection and Michigan Department of Transport officials with a view to enhancing the drivers’ level of satisfaction.

Recently, OTA member carriers have expressed concern over seemingly excessive delays and alleged poor treatment of drivers from CBPP personnel and traffic controllers at that particular crossing.

“All parties involved expressed sincere interest in mitigating circumstances where it may be perceived that a driver has been treated poorly or delayed without cause,” says OTA.

Information provided on the survey form will be kept confidential and provided to government officials in aggregate form only. OTA will have exclusive access to the comments.

The survey station is located in the hallway where drivers line up to see CBP representatives after being referred for secondary processing.