ijuana, Mexico — In a move that underscores the city’s commitment to improving the experience of international medical travelers, the 25th City Hall of Tijuana—under the leadership of Mayor Ismael Burgueño Ruiz—has begun enhancing the well-known “Fast Lane” border crossing pass program at the San Diego-Tijuana port of entry.
This initiative, designed to provide quicker border access for medical tourists and other eligible individuals, was the focus of a recent strategy session between local authorities and representatives of Tijuana’s health industry. The goal: to improve transparency and ensure that passes are granted directly to those who genuinely qualify.
The meeting, organized by Tijuana’s Secretariat of Economic Development (SEDETI), was led by Secretary Pedro Montejo Peterson, who emphasized the administration’s dedication to eliminating corruption and inefficiencies within the system. “Mayor Burgueño has made it clear—we must do things right. We’ve already begun reviewing the registry to ensure only eligible applicants remain, and some companies have started updating their records accordingly,” Montejo stated.
Health sector licenses and certifications will now be under continuous review to make sure that the fast lane passes are assigned appropriately, primarily benefiting patients who come to Tijuana for medical care. Other categories, including student and business passes, were also discussed as part of future improvements.
Viridiana Flores Flores, head of the Municipal Directorate of Prevention, Control, and Health, reinforced the city’s commitment to collaborating with the medical tourism industry. “You can count on the full support of City Hall. The Mayor has placed health at the forefront, and medical tourism remains one of Tijuana’s top priorities,” she affirmed.
Also present at the session were Óscar Higuera Betancourt, Director of Economic Promotion, and Cristóbal Ascolani Castañeda, Director of Strategic Planning for the 25th City Hall, who addressed additional questions and concerns from stakeholders.
As one of the leading destinations for medical tourism in North America, Tijuana’s efforts to enhance the Fast Lane program reflect the city’s ongoing investment in accessibility, accountability, and patient-focused infrastructure.