As TodaysTrucking.com first learned and reported last fall (click on Related Stories link below), due to the lack of C-TPAT participation among shippers, the bridge authority has been allowing drivers to take advantage of the dedicated FAST lane at the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge, provided the carrier was approved under C-TPAT security program.

Under the original U.S. Homeland Security rule, only under shipments of "pure FAST" (FAST driver and C-TPAT approved carriers as well as shippers) could drivers enjoy the benefits of the binational border clearance program.

Last week, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Buffalo and Lewiston working in cooperation with the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, the Peace Bridge Authority and the Ontario Trucking Association expanded the incentive program also for FAST registered drivers submitting e-Manifests -- a policy that was endorsed by the Ontario Trucking Association back in November.

One trucking insider recently told TodaysTrucking.com, "you might as well wave the white flag when it comes to the shipper (participation in C-TPAT). It's not happening."

The policy adopted at the November meeting by the OTA board calls upon Ontario bridge operators and local CBP to allow carriers to use the dedicated infrastructure, and possibly have CBP provide priority access to CBP primary, if the following conditions are met: C-TPAT approved carriers utilizing FAST drivers, and submitting e-Manifests.

OTA says the policy needs to be adaptable at each crossing, as each bridge has its own unique infrastructure and management challenges facing bridge operators and local US Customs. Carriers should be aware that each bridge will have different criteria for carriers, OTA says.

The Queenston-Lewiston Bridge will allow carriers to use the dedicated FAST-lane under "pure FAST; C-TPAT carriers using FAST drivers; and FAST drivers submitting e-Manifest.

At the Peace Bridge, reports OTA, preferential access to the staging yard will continue to be provided to pure FAST movements, as well as FAST drivers submitting e-Manifest. In order to be eligible for the e-Manifest benefit, drivers must have a valid FAST card and provide proof that they are using an ACE e-Manifest. This proof will be supplied in the form of an appropriately annotated CBP Form 7533, an e-Manifest cover sheet, and/or appropriate screen of the activity. OTA strongly urges its carriers utilizing the Niagara crossings to educate their drivers on the change of policies at the two bridges.

OTA is reportedly is also in discussions with the other Ontario border crossing authorities at the Blue water Bridge in Sarnia, and Windsor's Ambassador Bridge.