FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 25, 2011
For more information:
Zach Stratton
360-750-1553 Ext 19
marketingadmin@visitvancouverusa.com
DIRECT AMTRAK SERVICE BETWEEN VANCOUVER, USA, AND VANCOUVER, B.C.,
BECOMES PERMANENT
Travelers can now leave Vancouver, Canada, in the morning and
be in Vancouver, Washington, in time for dinner
VANCOUVER, Wash. - Due to its immense popularity, the Amtrak Cascades train that has
been providing direct service between Vancouver, USA, and Vancouver, B.C., on a temporary
basis, has been made permanent. Originally slated to end on October 31 of this year, the route
between the two cities will continue indefinitely based on a recent decision by the Canadian
government to permanently waive a proposed $1,500-per-day inspection fee.
"The continuation of this popular route will allow Vancouver, B.C., residents to travel to
Vancouver, Washington, in one day without having to get off the train," said Kim Bennett,
president of the Vancouver USA Regional Tourism Office. "Everyone from history buffs, to
families, to foodies can now get to know both cities, which although share the same name, offer
very different experiences."
The pilot project, which has been operating since August 2009, added a second Cascades train
between Seattle and British Columbia creating, for the first time, same-day service between the
two Vancouvers. The train departs from Vancouver, B.C., at 6:40 a.m. and arrives in Vancouver,
USA, at 2:25 p.m. Conversely, passengers can catch the train in Vancouver, USA, at 3:05 p.m.
and arrive in the Canadian city by 10:50 p.m. Prior to the addition of the second train,
passengers who boarded anywhere south of Seattle had to either stay overnight there or catch
a bus to Vancouver B.C., discouraging all but the most determined.
According to Amtrak figures, between July 2010 and June 30, 2011, the second Cascades train
carried 233,325 passengers, of which 28,129 crossed the border into Canada. Several groups
worked closely with Amtrak and the Canadian government to change the train route to
permanent status including the Washington State Department of Transportation, the Pacific
Northwest Economic Region and All Aboard Washington.
(more) The direct train route between the two cities was recently highlighted in an article in Vancouver
View, a Vancouver, B.C.-based lifestyle magazine. The article, titled "Hot Getaway - The Other
Vancouver - Vancouver Washington," was authored by two writers who took the train between
the two cities and wrote about their experience in Vancouver, USA.
About Vancouver USA Regional Tourism Office
Vancouver USA Regional Tourism Office (formerly Southwest Washington Convention & Visitors Bureau)
is an economic development organization responsible for competitively marketing Vancouver and the
surrounding area as a destination for meetings, conventions, and group and leisure travelers. The
organization's mission is to promote Vancouver and Clark County by increasing convention and visitor
business. For more information call 360-750-1553, or log on to www.VisitVancouverUSA.com .
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