WASHINGTON — It’s good news that FAST-approved truckers will be able to show U.S. Customs a FAST card instead of a passport to cross the border next year, the Canadian Alliance says. But far too many uncertainties remain in the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) — the long-anticipated proposal to require passports to enter the U.S.

Homeland Security and the U.S. State Department officially announced details of the program for land ports yesterday. As expected, FAST drivers can show such credentials as an alternative to a passport.

The roll out of the program has also been postponed — from Jan. 1, 2008 to sometime in the summer of next year, CTA confirms.

Starting next summer only WHTI compliant
documents will be accepted to cross into the U.S.

The program may also include the introduction of a smaller, cheaper WHTI card similar to a passport.

As part of the new developments, U.S. and Canadian citizens will be able to cross the land border with a government issued photo ID card, along with proof of citizenship, until summer 2008. This would include, for example, a driver’s licence and birth certificate. WHTI-compliant documents, including a passport, FAST and NEXUS card will also be accepted.

Oral declarations will not be accepted after January 31, 2008.

There was some talk this week that the program could be delayed until 2009. While the U.S. House of Representatives has voted to insert an amendment to a bill that would allow such a thing — as well as ensure adequate plans, staffing, and technology are properly secured — the revised bill must still clear the Senate and be signed by President George Bush.

“There are a number of positive aspects to this proposal,” said CTA Chief Executive Officer David Bradley. “All along CTA has advocated FAST as an alternative for commercial drivers, and it now appears certain that this will become a reality.

“Moreover, the U.S. has not slammed the door on use of a security enhanced drivers licence, which would be an attractive alternative not only for the trucking industry, but also passenger car drivers. We have long been concerned over the possibility of border disruptions if there are passenger vehicle bottlenecks as a result of WHTI requirements.”

However, according to Bradley, “while the announcement takes us a bit closer to understanding when and how WHTI will impact the border, it looks like it will be a while yet before we have all of the answers.”