NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release 2009PREM0047-000463 October 9, 2009

Office of the Premier Office of the Governor of Washington

 

GOV. GREGOIRE, PREMIER CAMPBELL CELEBRATE 2ND CASCADES TRAIN

 

SEATTLE – 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 July 3 as a pilot project to run between Aug. 1 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 Aug. 19, 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 Aug. 19, 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 per cent discount on all fares to and from Vancouver, B.C. until Dec. 31, 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.

 

For Amtrak “Cascades” fares and schedules, visit www.amtrakcascades.com.

 

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Contact:

Dale Steeves Director of Communications Office of the Premier 250 387-6605

Karina Shagren Office of the Governor of Washington 360 902-4122 karina.shagren@gov.wa.gov

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