A second Amtrak Cascades train between Vancouver and Seattle has exceeded ridership expectations in its pilot year and government and local tourism groups hope that bodes well for the future of the service.
More than 221,000 people have taken the second, evening train to Vancouver since the service began last August. It had a record month in July with nearly 25,000 passengers. Ridership on the morning train has also increased 21% in the past year.
“The second train has definitely increased ridership overall,” said Candice Gibson, manager of consumer marketing for Tourism Vancouver. “It’s an invaluable option for visitors to come to Vancouver and we’d like to see it continue long term and expand in years to come.”
To boost ridership during the last month of the pilot program, the B.C. Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, the Washington Department of Transportation, Tourism Vancouver and local tourist attractions are offering discounts and special offers to attract passengers to the train in September.
In addition to offering a 25% discount on the Amtrak Cascades, Tourism Vancouver and local attractions that are part of the Vancouver Attractions Group are offering exclusive discounts on Vancouver attractions for train passengers.
“We’re trying to collectively support the second train initiative as that’s something that’s still in a pilot process and we’re hoping it will continue beyond September.”
Boosting ridership would support the goal of creating a high-speed rail network along the west coast of North America. On the eve of the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Victoria signed an extensive agreement with California, Oregon and Washington that included the goal of creating a high-speed rail system by 2030 that stretches from San Diego to Vancouver.
At the time, California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said, “Economic power is [dependent] on how fast you move people and goods around. You see China growing right now very rapidly in this direction. This is the direction North America must go.”