Gov. Gregoire, Premier Campbell celebrate Amtrak Cascades second train service to Vancouver, B.C.

For Immediate Release: October 9, 2009

Celebration concludes 2-day Washington-British Columbia joint summit

SEATTLE � In an effort to promote cross border travel and strengthen a long standing partnership, Gov. Chris Gregoire joined British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell to celebrate the start of the long awaited second Amtrak Cascades train service to Vancouver, B.C. The celebration wrapped up a two-day joint cabinet meeting focusing on transportation, economic prosperity, health care issues and climate change.

�We are extremely pleased to expand this Amtrak Cascades service and to continue our long-term partnership with the British Columbia provincial government,� Gregoire said. �This second train service will be a tremendous asset in bringing travelers to the 2010 Winter Games, enriching tourism and economic vitality in the communities along the way in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia.�

�Establishing this expanded service builds on a history of collaboration between Washington and B.C. that has produced real results, including steps to improve the movement of goods and people across our shared border such as North America�s first Enhanced Drivers� License,� said Premier Campbell. �With the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games approaching, this is the perfect time to strengthen our connections and share in the opportunities for growth in trade and tourism that the Games create.�

The Canadian government approved the second train service on July 3 as a pilot project to run between August 1 through the end of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympics Winter Games. WSDOT worked with Amtrak, BNSF Railway, U.S. Customs, and other stakeholders to get the additional Amtrak Cascades service operational on August 19, 2009. Since then, ridership has risen steadily and is averaging 60 riders per day and growing.

�We are continuing to invest in growing our passenger rail program,� said Paula Hammond, Washington Transportation Secretary. �This expanded service provides a viable travel option to the 2010 Olympics and also addresses the increased demand for those traveling to British Columbia aboard this already highly successful Amtrak route.�

The Governor and Premier thanked all those who helped make the second Amtrak Cascades train service to Vancouver, B.C. happen, and announced that the state of Washington and Amtrak together are offering a 25 percent discount on all fares to and from Vancouver, B.C. until December 31, 2009.

�Amtrak is pleased to provide additional service to take people to the Winter Games and back and forth across the border for other personal, family and business reasons,� said Kurt Laird, District Superintendent of Amtrak�s Pacific Division.

During the celebration, the governor and premier concluded their fourth Washington-British Columbia annual meeting by signing an agreement that sets out a number of steps Washington and B.C. will jointly undertake to create jobs, build the economy and improve the movement of good and people between jurisdictions. The agreement works to enhance transportation options to increase tourism and trade, explore opportunities to save money in both jurisdictions, and improve the sharing of health care information to protect Pacific Northwest communities from a major health care emergency. The governor and premier also committed to addressing climate change and working together to create a strong clean energy economy.

To view a framework of the agreements, visit:
http://www.governor.wa.gov/news/Framework_Agreement.pdf

�I am appreciative of the strong partnership we have developed with British Columbia,� Gregoire said. �We came together to discuss the issues that affect us all, and develop solutions that benefit us all. From trade relations to climate change, working together we have made incredible progress to benefit both sides of the border. I value our joint summits, and am confident the framework agreement we�ve signed will ensure economic growth for the entire Pacific Northwest region.�

�When the world comes to British Columbia for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, they will see the communities and people of the entire Pacific Northwest region,� Campbell said. �We want to reinforce that connection. We want to highlight the incredible partnership between Washington and BC.�

To further highlight that partnership, Campbell announced a 2010 Olympic Torch Relay celebration at the Peace Arch Border Crossing on the final leg of the relay. During the Peace Arch Celebration, the Olympic Flame will be carried by an honorary Canadian and honorary U.S. torchbearer, who will be named in the months ahead. The flame arrives at the Peace Arch on February 9 � just three days before the relay ends at B.C. Place Stadium, signaling the beginning of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympics Winter Games.