A new SENTRI office for people to apply for fast-pass border cards quietly opened Tuesday next to the San Ysidro Port of Entry. An official grand opening is pending.

Officials at the office said they were doing a test run at the facility and seeing applicants who had made appointments. Instead of being sent to the SENTRI enrollment center in Otay Mesa they were directed to the new San Ysidro site.

Earlier this year, CPB officials announced that the fee to get a SENTRI pass would be temporarily cut from $122.25 per person to $42.25 but have not said yet when that will go into effect. The agency is reducing the price to encourage more people to sign up.

SENTRI, which stands for Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection, is a program that allows pre-screened motorists and pedestrians, usually frequent border crossers, to use special lanes to expedite their crossing. The program relies on high-tech card and license plate readers and computers.

Applicants must pass background checks, submit fingerprints and have an interview with CBP officers. Cars are also inspected.

The new facility is in a blue-painted building on the 700 block of East San Ysidro Boulevard, where a Payless store had operated and next to a clothing store and a bus terminal. A sign in English and Spanish in the front says "Pedestrian Enrollment Center." Officials said the facility will process SENTRI applications for pedestrians and vehicle users.

The facility has a window in the front where an attendant provides information about the program, including directions to apply as a walk-in at that office.

People can apply online also. For more information visit www.sentri.gov.

Leonel.sanchez@sandiegored.com