From Niagara This Week:
A U.S. government plan which will allow enhanced driver’s licences as acceptable identification when crossing the border along with passports is being hailed as good news for travellers and business people alike.
But while most like the idea of a new high-tech licence, some frequent border users hope rolling out the new program doesn’t get bogged down with costs and lengthy applications — much like at passport offices have been since the American Homeland Security department announced regulations requiring air travellers to carry passports when entering the U.S.
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If they go through with this starting in summer (peak season) can you imagine the bad numbers for the region next year? Even if they accept enhanced dl’s, there is no way there is enough time to get them ready for summer use. Hopefully for NF this will be started in the fall or winter of next year or 2009, to start it in or before summer would be a terrible thing for the area. If confusion exists now, it would be ten times worse in such a short amount of time.
the thing is, i go disney in florida every year, usually august 9,10,11 to september 1,2. This change will be huge for me.
It will be a huge change for quite a few million people Id imagine. It will be nothing short of disaster for tourist city economy’s in both the US and Canada. People will say thats a sensationalistic statement, but I don’t think it is. It will especially hurt NF because of it being a day trip destination. Think of it this way, if the confusion is causing significant problems now, what will happen when its a law?
The best time to pass this would probably be after next christmas, sometime in January 2009. Passing it in the middle of the busy summer season will not put a good light on this region, as if it doesn’t get enough (rightly deserved) bad press as it is.
absolutely
IMO no matter what they finally decide, until they DO decide, tourism in the area is going to continue to take a hit, and the numbers are going to be down. We’ve been watching to find out which way they will go with it, as I am sure others are doing. I mean, why get a passport when something else, like the enhanced DL, may be acceptable. I think many people are taking a “wait and see” attitude before they run out for a passport. So even if they change their minds, and a passport is necessary, there will still be the delays for that. I know this summer there was a back log in our county to get a passport as it was. Bottom line is, they have to make a decision already and quit stringing people along.
Great point Benson’s Mom.
the only problem with this is, i’ve never been on a plane.
Do you need a passport to go on a plane?
I have not been on a plane either but yes, if you are going on a plane from Canada to the US or from US to Canada you currently need a passport to travel. This is what has been causing all the backlogs in passport processing and some people were barely making their vacations even though they ordered their passport 6-8 months ahead of time. I think they need to give people at least 6 months to a year notice of when you will either need to get a passport or enhanced drivers license in order to not create backlogs with the processing system.
Exactly. And also what is causing the confusion with land crossings. I actually had to point that out to my husband once, that it is LAND crossings that as of now you don’t need a passport for yet. YET. And unless I am mistaken, it is LAND crossings only that the enhanced DL is being considered for, and NOT for air or sea crossings - those you would still need a passport for (at least that is what I think - HA! - I’ll admit, I can still be confused on the whole matter). Again, either way, I see hold ups. If they go with passports - backlogs. If they go with a DL, hold ups on getting the technology up to speed and in working order, then backlogs on getting them into the hands of the traveler.
this will get more and more clear as the consideration date approaches.
Since you in the Niagara area are so close to Buffalo, you could simply cross the border by land and take a flight from Buffalo, avoiding the passport issue for now. Hope land borders both Canada and US accept something other than a passport, like passport card, enhanced dl/non-driver ID card.
Or take Amtrak-do they require passports yet to cross the border by train?
to be honest, the only way i’ve crossed the border is by car