Amtrak Cascades Ridership Soars in 2024, Nears One Million Passengers

Ridership on Amtrak Cascades surged in 2024, nearly reaching one million passengers. The 41% increase highlighted growing demand for train travel in the Pacific Northwest. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Amtrak Cascades Sees Strong Growth in 2024

Amtrak reported that 941,727 passengers traveled on the Amtrak Cascadesroute last year. This surge demonstrated a strong rebound in train travel between Portland and Vancouver, British Columbia.

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Between January and September 2024, 739,000 passengers used the service, marking a 36% rise from 2023. WSDOT attributed this growth to additional daily trains and rising demand for rail transportation.

WSDOT operates the Cascades service between Eugene and Vancouver, working with Oregon’s Department of Transportation. These agencies jointly manage the route and ensure reliable operations.

Amtrak receives financial backing from both departments to cover service costs. Private companies own the tracks, with BNSF, Sound Transit, and Union Pacific maintaining different rail sections.

Stations along the Cascades corridor belong to multiple stakeholders, including WSDOT, transit agencies, and municipalities. Effective collaboration has played a crucial role in expanding the service.

New Investments in Amtrak Cascades Services

To enhance connectivity, Amtrak added a second daily train between Bellingham and Vancouver in 2023. This expansion accommodated rising demand and improved transportation options.

In December, the Federal Railroad Administration allocated $50 million to research high-speed rail development. This project aims to establish faster, more efficient train services across the Pacific Northwest.

Additionally, WSDOT and Amtrak introduced two new daily round trips between Seattle and Portland. These extra trains supplemented existing schedules and contributed to increased ridership.

With four daily round trips between Seattle and Portland, ridership has steadily increased. Two daily round trips also serve Portland to Eugene and Seattle to Vancouver, B.C.

New train additions significantly boosted ridership and revenue growth throughout 2024. WSDOT emphasized that expanding services remains a key strategy for meeting future travel demands.

Rail travel continues to gain popularity due to improved schedules, regional investments, and enhanced accessibility. Officials predict further ridership growth as infrastructure upgrades enhance reliability.

Source: www.aol.com

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