9 October 2009

Gov. Gregoire, Premier Campbell Celebrate 2nd Cascades Train

British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell and Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire aboard the Amtrak Cascades train.

Seattle Washington USA - Ahead of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympics Winter Games, Washington State Gov. Chris Gregoire joined British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell in Seattle today to celebrate the start of the long-awaited second Amtrak "Cascades" train service to Vancouver.
 
The Canadian government approved the second train service on 3 Jul 2009 as a pilot project to run between 1 Aug 2009 through the end of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympics Winter Games. The Washington State Department of Transportation worked with Amtrak, BNSF Railway, U.S. Customs, and other stakeholders to get the additional Amtrak "Cascades" service operational on 19 Aug 2009.
 
"Establishing this expanded service builds on a history of collaboration between Washington and B.C. that has produced real results, including steps to improve the movement of goods and people across our shared border such as North America's first Enhanced Drivers' Licence," said Premier Campbell. "With the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games approaching, this is the perfect time to strengthen our connections and share in the opportunities for growth in trade and tourism that the Games create."
 
"We are extremely pleased to expand this Amtrak Cascades service and to continue our long-term partnership with the British Columbia provincial government," said Gov. Gregoire. "This second train service will be a tremendous asset in bringing travellers to the 2010 Winter Games, enriching tourism and economic vitality in the communities along the way in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia."
 
Since the second Amtrak Cascades train service began on 19 Aug 2010, ridership is averaging 60 riders per day and growing. With the steady growth of ridership on this second train service, the pilot program is on track to meet the benchmark requirement to continue beyond the 2010 Olympic Games. Additionally, the original train between Seattle and Vancouver has also seen an increase in ridership, suggesting travellers are taking advantage of the additional frequency when planning their trips.
 
The Governor and Premier concluded the media conference by thanking all those who helped make the second Amtrak "Cascades" train service to Vancouver, B.C., happen and announced that the State of Washington and Amtrak together are offering a 25 percent discount on all fares to and from Vancouver, B.C., until 31 Dec 2009.
 
"Amtrak is pleased to provide additional service to take people to the Winter Games and back and forth across the border for other personal, family, and business reasons," said Kurt Laird, district superintendent of Amtrak's Pacific Division.
 
Amtrak Cascades consists of four daily round-trips between Portland and Seattle, with service between Bellingham and Portland, via Seattle, between Eugene and Seattle, via Portland, and between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. Amtrak Cascades is operated by Amtrak in partnership with the Washington and Oregon Departments of Transportation.