Date:  Monday, July 06, 2009

Contact: Vickie Sheehan, WSDOT Communications, 360-705-7904

New service cleared to begin in August

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) received good news today when the Canadian government announced that they are extending border clearance service for a second daily Amtrak Cascades train between Seattle and Vancouver, BC.

“We are looking forward to starting the second Amtrak Cascades train as soon as possible,” said Paula Hammond, Washington Transportation Secretary. “Amtrak Cascades is a vital transportation option for travelers visiting British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon-especially with the 2010 Olympics just several months away.”

The Canadian government has approved the second train service as a pilot project that could start as soon as August until after the 2010 Olympic and Paralympics Winter Games. WSDOT is working with Amtrak to start preparations to enable the Amtrak Cascades second train to be operational as soon as possible.

The second Amtrak Cascades train between Seattle and Vancouver, BC was originally scheduled to begin in August 2008. The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) determined that a cost recovery fee of $1,500 per day for border services for the second train was required. The cost recovery fee was unanticipated and is unfunded, and consequently the second train service has been delayed while a resolution could be determined.

As part of a review of rail services by the Canadian government, the pilot project will be evaluated at its conclusion to determine if the level of traffic on the rail route is high enough to justify ongoing customs services.

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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