Since 1994 WSDOT has worked with Amtrak, the state of Oregon, the Province of British Columbia, and the railroads to provide fast, reliable, and more frequent intercity passenger rail service along the I-5 corridor. The service, known as Amtrak Cascades, provides travelers transportation options for their intercity trips between Vancouver, B.C. and Eugene, Oregon and 16 cities in between.

Amtrak Cascades is a publicly funded service operating on a privately-owned rail line. This intercity passenger rail service is designed to carry travelers between major population centers and connects with Amtrak long-distance trains, local and regional transit. It has 18 stations in two states and one Canadian province. The typical rider travels 150 miles.

Since 2010, Washington State has been awarded $781 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds from the High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail program. Projects funded by these grants will help grow the Amtrak Cascades service and improve on-time performance and reliability between Seattle and Portland.

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.