"Communication has ceased with them"
As of 4:00 PM on August 11, 2025, a significant traffic build-up is evident at the "Brest" checkpoint, with approximately 2500 cars and 50 buses in line, some of which have been waiting since midnight or longer. The queue includes 30 buses and 15 minibuses, indicating a high demand for this method of crossing the border quickly.
Despite a recent meeting between representatives of the Transportation Inspection and international carriers to discuss border issues and combat passenger transfers into buses at the front of the line, evidence suggests that these efforts have not yet yielded significant results. Passengers are eager to switch buses as quickly as possible to avoid spending long hours in line.
One woman described her experience of switching buses and passing through border control faster, arriving in Warsaw the next morning. However, some passengers are circumventing inspectors by walking around the other side of the buses and carrying their luggage to avoid the noise of rolling suitcases.
Passengers believe that there are no sanctions for those who transfer to a bus for cash without a ticket. This belief, combined with the perceived relaxation of border control measures, has contributed to the persistence of this issue. Passengers report that inspectors are no longer as strict, and drivers openly invite people to board their buses.
In response, Transportation Inspectors are working around the clock at the checkpoint to monitor passenger flow and prevent illegal passenger transfers into buses. Some carriers stopped transferring passengers for free from one bus to another at the border in late July and early August due to increased control by the Transportation Inspection.
Despite these measures, the border control at the "Brest" checkpoint continues to involve strict security and immigration checks, with authorities implementing measures such as document verification, passenger screening, and controlled boarding to reduce illegal transfers. The effectiveness of such measures typically depends on coordination between border agencies, use of technology, and enforcement intensity.
For a precise and current evaluation of the situation, official reports from Belarusian or Polish border authorities or independent border monitoring organizations would be necessary. The variability in delays and waiting times can be attributed to the volume of travelers and operational efficiency.
