Helping shorten border wait times

(Updated) With summer travel season upon us, the Canadian Border Services Agency and U.S. Customs want you to help yourself out of a long wait to cross into the United States.

They’re reminding travellers to have all documentation in hand and to have a declaration of purchases with receipts ready. They also urge motorists to take off their hats and sunglasses to speed up lines.

With so many taking advantages of both sides of the border CBSA district director Neil Mooney also took time to talk peak hours. “In fact the Niagara bridges will experience about 50 per cent of our overall traffic between the months of June and September, so when we say busy that is our peak period.”

“For returning Canadians typically between noon and 10 o’clock and weekends are busiest of any day of the week.”

Travellers are also encouraged to check border traffic online to get a read on the crowds. The Canada Border Services Agency has a feature on its website to help determine border wait times. Travellers can check current or forecast wait times, or find tips on the best times to travel. The current border wait times are updated at least once an hour on the website.

You can also visit the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission website for updates on the Rainbow and Whirlpool bridges; and the Peace Bridge has a site as well.