Don’t forget to vote!

Please make sure to send in your ballot in advance of Election Day, Tuesday, November 6. Check to make sure that your ballot has been received at https://voter.votewa.gov/ 

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, AAWA cannot endorse candidates. However, AAWA’s Board of Directors has voted for AAWA to join the No on I-2117 Coalition. If passed, this initiative would repeal the Climate Commitment Act. Repealing the CCA would repeal more than $5 billion in sustainable transportation investments, including billions for transit and free transit for youth in Washington. There are many other reasons to support the No campaign. See https://no2117.com/ for more information.

Report from Spokane Summit

The Third Annual Greater Northwest Rail Summit in Spokane was very well-attended, with 170 people joining us in person and remotely.

This year’s Summit expanded its focus beyond passenger rail to discuss how an improved rail network in the Greater Northwest will benefit movement of both people and goods. 

The Summit was planned and organized by a team including AAWA and All Aboard Northwest Co-Executive Director Charlie Hamilton, together with staff from the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER), including long-time AAWA member Bruce Agnew.

A few highlights of AAWA’s participation from the two packed days:

• Updates from Amtrak, the Federal Railroad Administration, the Washington State Department of Transportation, and AAWA member Abe Zumwalt on plans for expanded service in the Cascades, North Coast Hiawatha, and Pioneer corridors.
• Brainstorming sessions on how additional service can be created.
• A discussion regarding the benefits of rail tourism including Bill Jenkin of Prosser Vineyard.
• A panel on making rail a healthcare lifeline, led by AAWA memer Dr. Breck Lebegue and including AAWA Board Member Gleb Sych who presented on his research conducted on our behalf in 2023, along with HollyAnna Littlebull from the Yakama Nation.
  
• AAWA Government Affairs Director Luis Moscoso led a panel discussion with legislators from throughout the region, including Washington state representatives Jake Fey and Andrew Barkis.
  

Thanks also to AAWA board members Gary Wirt, Warren Yee, and Jim McIntosh, along with members Pat McIntosh, Dave Rowe, and Tim Gould for their indispensable help.

The Summit was sponsored by

• PNWER Regional Infrastructure Accelerator 
• All Aboard Northwest 
• David Evans and Associates, Inc. 
• KLJ Engineering 
• Quandel Consulting 
• Big Sky Passenger Rail 
• All Aboard Washington 
• Savage Services 
• CHCS.com Internet Development 
• AORTA - Association of Oregon Rail and Transit Advocates 
• Columbia Strategic Consulting Group 
• Washington Public Ports Association 
• The City of Yakima 
• Breck Lebegue MD MPH

Videos and presentations from the summit are now available on the Agenda pages of the Summit website at https://nwsummit.org/ Thanks to everyone who helped out and attended, and thanks to AAWA for its sponsorship.

Gary Wirt named to state work group

AAWA Vice-President Gary Wirt has been appointed to the Washington State Commercial Aviation Work Group, which was created by the Legislature in HB 1791 to evaluate the long-range commercial aviation and transportation needs of the state, including alternatives for additional aviation capacity which includes expanding use of existing airports and multi-modal opportunities.

Gary says that during his overseas assignments, he became interested in the extensive passenger rail systems that exist in both Japan and Europe. He and his family rode trains frequently and learned to appreciate the benefits and convenience of passenger rail.

https://www.aviationworkgroup.com/members/

Joint AORTA-AAWA meeting in Portland, Saturday, November 9

Where: Portland Union Station, 800 NW 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97209 Suite 327

Accessible by: Amtrak, Point, Wave, Trimet, Flix Bus, Greyhound

Virtual attendance will also be available. Registration is free, though we have a paid registration as well that includes lunch.

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Registration & Informal gathering

11:30 AM - 12 N Box Lunch

12 N - 5:30 PM Meeting / activities

Paid registration includes a box lunch. Indicate preference on registration form:

• Turkey-Avocado
• Ham & Swiss
• Chicken-Pesto
• Tomato-Mozzarella

Please register by November 5th to ensure your choice of lunch.

https://www.aortarail.org/events/aorta-aawa-joint-membership-meeting-novemeber-2024-at-portland-union-station/ 

Amtrak Board of Directors Meeting in Seattle, Wednesday, December 4

Both in-person and virtual attendees must register for the meeting. Participation will be limited, and advance registration is required. The deadline to register is Nov. 25, 2024. Registration required by November 25. Details at the Amtrak website:

https://media.amtrak.com/2024/10/amtrak-to-hold-public-board-of-directors-meeting-in-seattle/ 

Greater Northwest Winter Gathering in Centralia, Saturday, December 14

Planning for a proposed multi-state rail caucus, covering the Greater Northwest, plus a presentation from blind traveler Anthony Lanzilotti of the Rail Passengers Association board. More details to come. Register now at https://aawa.us/events/annual-meeting-december-2024/ 

AAWA Annual Meeting on Zoom, Saturday, January 11

Help us prepare for 2025. Help fill AAWA Board and Officer vacancies as described in the AAWA Board Member Position Description. Meeting information and registration at 

https://www.aawa.us/events/aawa-annual-meeting-january-2025/ 

It’s not too soon to donate to AAWA as part of your year-end giving!

Please keep us on track by making a generous donation. You may donate at https://aawa.us/donate or send a check to

All Aboard Washington
P.O. Box 70381
Seattle, WA 98127-0381

Check the AAWA website for the latest news

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