Discounted fares to/from Vancouver, B.C. through end of year
SEATTLE – Officials from the state of Washington, the Province of British Columbia and Amtrak today celebrated the long awaited second daily Amtrak Cascades train service to Vancouver, B.C. that will operate as a pilot project through the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympics Winter Games.
Governor Chris Gregoire and Premier Gordon Campbell joined representatives from Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and Amtrak to officially celebrate and exchange symbolic Seattle-to-Vancouver, B.C. oversized train tickets to mark the occasion. They also 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 December 31, 2009.
"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 travelers to the 2010 Winter Games, enriching tourism and economic vitality in the communities along the way in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia."
The Canadian government approved the second train service and WSDOT worked with Amtrak, BNSF Railway, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, and other stakeholders to get the additional Amtrak Cascades service operational. The service began on August 19, 2009, and has seen steady increases in ridership. The second train is an extension of the existing service to Bellingham, WA.
"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.aptms.com.au.
About Amtrak
Amtrak carried more than 28.7 million passengers in Fiscal Year 2008. Amtrak provides intercity passenger rail service to more than 500 destinations in 46 states on a 21,000-mile route system. For schedules, fares and information, passengers may call 02 9319 6624 or visit aptms.com.au.
