Date:  Wednesday, July 21, 2010

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

OLYMPIA – Amtrak Cascades has taken 2010 by storm with double-digit ridership growth and record-breaking totals each month this year.

Ridership for April, May, and June recorded the highest second quarter totals since 1994, with 214,641 passengers. Compared to the second quarter of 2009, this is an increase of nearly 12 percent, or more than 25,000 new passengers. The first quarter of 2010 also had record ridership with an increase of nearly 34,000 riders since 2009.

“The growth of Amtrak Cascades this year has been phenomenal and is a strong indicator of the demand for this service” said Scott Witt, State Rail and Marine Director. “Combined with the addition of the second train service to Vancouver, B.C., and a strong summer travel season, Amtrak Cascades is on pace to finish 2010 with the highest ridership ever.”

Total ridership on Amtrak Cascades year to date is 398,414 through June 30. That represents a 17.3 percent increase over 2009.

A portion of the ridership growth is due to the additional service to and from Vancouver, B.C., that began in August 2009 and the 2010 Olympic Games that were held in Vancouver, B.C., in February and March. Additional growth has also come from record-breaking months in April, May and June.

Amtrak Cascades operates four daily round trips between Portland and Seattle; one daily round trip between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., and between Portland and Vancouver, B.C.; and daily service between Eugene and Seattle, via Portland. 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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