Date:  Tuesday, October 12, 2010

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

OLYMPIA – Although the second Amtrak Cascades train service to Vancouver, B.C., may be canceled at the end of this month, travelers still can take advantage of special discounts at popular attractions in Vancouver, B.C.

Twelve local Vancouver, B.C., attractions have been offering special discounts for Amtrak Cascades passengers through a special promotion. The Vancouver Attractions Group has extended the special discounts through Oct. 31, with the majority of them valid through June 2011.

The promotion is part of a cooperative marketing effort launched in September to reach more customers for the Amtrak Cascades service. Sharing in the effort are the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the Province of British Columbia, Tourism Vancouver and the Vancouver Attractions Group. During the month, travelers were offered a discount on Amtrak Cascades fares to Vancouver, B.C., and exclusive discounts on Vancouver attractions. Details are available online at www.tourismvancouver.com/visitors/amtrak.

Discussions are under way to extend the second train service past Oct. 31. Last month, the Canadian federal government notified WSDOT that they would require $550,000 or more a year for border-clearance services for the second Amtrak Cascades train to Vancouver, B.C. As this additional fee is currently unfunded, the second train service may be discontinued beginning Nov. 1. If service is extended, Amtrak Cascades travelers will continue to have more travel options to enjoy the promotional discounts into the summer season.

Amtrak Cascades operates three daily round trips between Portland and Seattle; one daily round trip between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., and one 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.
###

< Go Back