The Surrey Board of Trade has thrown its support behind calls for an Amtrak Cascades train stop in Blaine, Washington.
Currently, Fraser Valley and south Fraser residents need to travel into downtown Vancouver to board the Seattle-bound train.
“The requirement to use the downtown terminal is a major impediment for travellers from the Fraser Valley and the South Fraser region in particular, adding many additional hours to the trip,” the board said in a statement.
The board argues that suggestions to create an additional stop for the train on the Canadian side of the border, such as at the old BNSF station in White Rock, are cost-prohibitive due to the need for additional customs clearance.
According to the board, a group in Blaine is pushing to refurbish an old BNSF station in Blaine to serve as a depot.
Earlier this year, Surrey’s mayor and council voted unanimously in favour of a train stop in Blaine.
