BUFFALO, N.Y. — If it were possible to cut some of the waiting out of flying or driving across the U.S.-Canada border, would it be worth it?

For those enrolled in the Nexus program, that's exactly what happens. 

Sen. Chuck Schumer wants to make it easier for more people to take advantage of the program. 

"The Nexus program allows prescreened travelers to expedite going across the border, going from U.S. to Canada, Canada to U.S.," said Schumer, speaking at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport Monday. "We're asking that a Nexus enrollment center be brought to the airport, and that will help not only people who travel by air but people who travel by car and truck across our great crossings into Canada."

 

 

Schumer called on U.S. Custom and Border Protection to work with the NFTA, Peace Bridge Authority and the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission to make another Nexus enrollment center available for Western New Yorkers. Currently there is a Nexus Enrollment Center at the Whirlpool Bridge, but that can be up to an hour's drive for people living in the southtowns. Adding a closer location could make it easier for more eligible people to take advantage of the program.

Being a Nexus member lets a driver use the designated Nexus lanes while crossing the border, as well as using the TSA PreCheck line at the airport. The cost of a Nexus card enrollment is $50 where just the TSA PreCheck is $85.

In order to qualify for Nexus, a person must be a low-risk and pre-screened traveler to enroll and it takes about two months to receive a Nexus card.