Date:  Thursday, March 12, 2009

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

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), along with partners Amtrak and the Oregon Department of Transportation, is celebrating 10 years of Amtrak Cascades passenger rail service.

Amtrak Cascades is commemorating its 10th anniversary with a special celebration during the second annual National Train Day event on May 9, 2009 at King Street Station in Seattle. Various promotions are also scheduled throughout the rest of 2009. More information on 10th anniversary promotions and offers will be announced on AmtrakCascades.com.

More than six million passengers have ridden Amtrak Cascades over the last 10 years, resulting in a 71 percent increase in ridership since 1999. In 2008, ridership reached nearly 775,000 passengers, making it the most successful year in the history of the service.

“Amtrak Cascades has proven to be a valuable transportation option for Washington travelers,” said Paula Hammond, Washington Transportation Secretary. “Whether people are exploring unique Northwest towns and attractions or making an important business connection in urban centers, this rail line is a reliable and economical way to travel.”

WSDOT began working with Amtrak in 1994 to support passenger rail service along the I-5 corridor. In 1999, the new Amtrak Cascades service debuted, providing intercity passenger rail service in the Pacific Northwest from Vancouver, BC to Eugene, OR. Amtrak Cascades service has grown to four daily round-trips between Portland and Seattle, with connecting service between Portland and Eugene and between Bellingham and Seattle, and one daily round-trip between Seattle and Vancouver, BC.

Washington State is one of 13 states that provide operating funds to Amtrak for intercity passenger rail service. Amtrak Cascades uses five European designed Talgo trains for daily operations. Three of the five trains are owned by Washington State, and the other two are owned by Amtrak. Additionally, WSDOT has invested $137 million in capital rail improvements since 1999 to improve the rail line infrastructure, traffic control and safety systems, and station restorations and improvements.

Amtrak Cascades is operated by Amtrak in partnership with the Washington and Oregon Departments of Transportation. For Amtrak Cascades fares and schedules, visit AmtrakCascades.com.

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WSDOT keeps people, businesses and the economy moving by operating and improving the state's transportation systems. To learn more about what we're doing, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or by dialing 5-1-1.

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