USA Bus Lines

When crossing into Canada from USA by motor coach (i.e. MegaBus, GreyHound) what happens at the Canada border?

I am a Canadian planing to take MegasBus (motor coach) from Buffalo back to Toronto. How do Canadian Border Officers ask questions, do inspections, or ask for a verbal declaration of goods if everyone is in the motor coach? Do Canadian Border Officers ask everyone whose on the bus to get off the bus, or do they come on the bus and do a quick check? Also what is the estimate waiting time once at the border with a Border Officer (if the motor coach has to see one)?

Public Comments

1. Everyone will need to get off the bus with all of their possessions into the border office. I'm not sure if they do a check of the bus (probably, but it goes on while you're inside the office). You'll queue up inside, just as you do when going through customs at an airport. One at a time you go to the window, show id, and they'll ask you the regular stuff: where have you been? for how long? purpose? are you bringing x, y, z into Canada? They might check your luggage if they still have questions (for example if you're coming from New York City off a two-day trip and only declaring 20$ worth of goods...). Once you're done you go get back on the bus and wait for the others. For the time estimate, it's hard to say...it depends on traffic, how many people are on the bus, and if they need to go through several people's bags. If you have a plane to catch (eg.) in Toronto, it's better to leave yourself several hours to play with - just in case.
2. Unless you are on a coach tour, expect to de-bus, line up and wait. The bus periodically is checked with people on it and after passport checks let go. If the budget allows it, plane is much better. Try Porter airlines - very efficient.