Date:
Monday, November 19, 2007
Contact:
Amtrak Media Relations
510-238-4360
Turkey Day Travel
with Amtrak
- 115,000 passengers are expected to ride Amtrak the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
- Last year, 7.5 tons of roast turkey, 22,000 servings of cranberry sauce and 22,000 slices of pumpkin pie was served on Amtrak long distance trains over the week of Thanksgiving.
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SEATTLE — Anticipating the busiest travel week of the year, Amtrak
Cascades is planning ahead for Thanksgiving by adding more cars to its trains and encouraging passengers traveling throughout the Pacific Northwest to make their reservations now.
The week of Thanksgiving – Tuesday to Monday – is typically Amtrak’s busiest travel period of the year, carrying more than 600,000 passengers last year. To accommodate more passengers traveling during this holiday week, ten trains will be added to the Amtrak
Cascades route between Portland and Seattle.
Regular one-way adult fares between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia start as low as $28, or between Portland and Seattle, $28. One-way fares between Bellingham and Portland start as low as $29; Seattle and Tacoma, $11; Olympia and Seattle, $14; and between Everett and Tacoma, $11. An upgrade to Business Class costs only a few dollars more each way and provides wider seats, more legroom and priority boarding. All Amtrak
Cascades require reservations, and passengers are encouraged to purchase tickets now to obtain lowest fares and ensure space on the train of their choice. Visit
Amtrak's Web site, or call 800-USA-RAIL for reservations and information.
On the heaviest travel day of the year for Amtrak, Wednesday, November 21, the railroad expects ridership to reach over 115,000 passengers system-wide – 70 percent more passengers than an average Wednesday when 69,000 passengers are carried. Over the span of the holiday week, Amtrak will carry approximately 30 percent more passengers than an average week.
Travel Tips
Amtrak offers the following tips for holiday passengers:
- Avoid the Rush: Busiest travel days are Wednesday before and Sunday after Thanksgiving. Purchase tickets early using Amtrak.com, QuikTraks™ ticket vending machines or ticket windows at staffed stations or calling 800-USA-RAIL. Allow plenty of time at stations prior to departure – at least 45 minutes before if tickets need to be picked up. Carry valid photo identification at all times.
- Know the Limits: Note the limit of two carry-on bags per person (excluding laptops, purses, briefcases), and be sure all luggage is tagged with name and address.
- Carry photo ID: Passengers are required to show valid photo identification when purchasing tickets. Make sure to carry valid photo ID at all times, as it may be requested aboard trains.
Amtrak Cascades consists of four daily round-trips between Portland and Seattle, with service between Bellingham, Wash., and Portland, via Seattle; between Eugene and Seattle, via Portland; and between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. Amtrak Cascades is operated by Amtrak under contracts with the Washington and Oregon Departments of Transportation.
About Amtrak
Amtrak provides intercity passenger rail services to more than 500 destinations in 46 states on a 22,000-mile route system. For schedules, fares and information, passengers may call 800-USA-RAIL or visit Amtrak's Web site.
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