Bus and tour operators are being urged to submit passenger information earlier as officials prepare for a surge in cross-border travel tied to the 2026 World Cup.
Industry leaders say the expected influx of international visitors will put added pressure on land border crossings between Canada and the United States, prompting new efforts to streamline processing and reduce delays.
In a letter issued Friday, the Ontario Motor Coach Association and Motor Coach Canada outlined a plan developed in collaboration with the Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The letter, signed by Vince Accardi, president of Motor Coach Canada, described a year-long effort to identify solutions, including expanded use of advance passenger information to help border agencies better manage demand.
Providing passenger and trip details ahead of time allows officials to allocate staff and resources more effectively, reducing wait times at crossings, the organizations said.
Operators are being asked to notify authorities of planned crossings as early as possible and submit updated passenger manifests at least 48 hours in advance. Maintaining accurate and current information will be key to ensuring smoother processing.
Advice for smoother crossings
The letter also outlined different procedures depending on the direction of travel.
For operators entering Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency will roll out an “Advanced Bus Manifest” support measure from May 19 to July 8 to expedite processing during peak World Cup travel.
Operators heading into the United States are encouraged to use the CBP Link system to submit passenger and trip information in advance, with additional guidance available through U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The organizations said regulatory updates are expected next year and encouraged early adoption of advance submission practices.
They also emphasized continued collaboration with industry partners, including the American Bus Association and United Motorcoach Association, to support long-term improvements beyond 2026.
“This is a critical moment for our industry,” Accardi wrote, pointing to the importance of timely information sharing in ensuring more predictable border crossings.
