August 9, 2021

Advocates Meet to Discuss Improving Passenger Rail Service for the Tri-Cities and the Yakima Valley

For Immediate Release
July 28, 2021
Contact: Charles Hamilton, (360) 529-5552 x3 or Patrick Carnahan, (360) 529-5552 x6

Advocates Meet to Discuss Improving Passenger Rail Service

Passenger rail advocacy group All Aboard Washington (AAWA) is bringing its 2021 Train Trek to the Tri-Cities and the Yakima Valley on Saturday, August 14.

Transportation and infrastructure issues are of greater significance than ever before. Several studies have confirmed that there is a significant need for, and interest in, improved and more frequent Cascades service, daytime east-west service, and service to southeast Washington. We envision that the Tri-Cities and the Yakima Valley will be hubs for these improvements.

As your representative for better transportation for over 40 years, AAWA wants your voice to be heard in Olympia!

During the 2021 Train Trek, AAWA will share its vision for improved train service. We will discuss how expanded passenger rail service can bring significant economic, equity, and environmental benefits to the communities it serves. But most of all, we want to hear from citizens, community leaders, and elected officials about the transportation needs YOU care about.

AAWA believes that now is the time to re-evaluate our transportation priorities by:

Expanding the state-supported Amtrak Cascades passenger rail service
Improving connections between local and regional transit services
Building and revitalizing infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists

The ongoing budgetary, mobility, and climate crises all demand commitment to proactive solutions that foster stable economic recovery from the pandemic while furthering Washington’s efforts to fight global climate change.

“With targets for reductions of vehicle trips, greenhouse gas emissions, and traffic fatalities all coming due over the next decade, immediate actions should be taken to sustain our state’s economic vitality, environmental commitments, and equitable access for all citizens,” said Patrick Carnahan, AAWA’s co-executive director.

Yakima - Saturday, August 14, 9:30 AM

Yakima Hilton Garden Inn
401 E Yakima Ave.
Yakima, WA 98901

Register at
https://www.aawa.us/events/2021-train-trek-yakima/

Toppenish - Saturday, August 14, 1:30 PM

Northern Pacific Railway Museum
10 Asotin Ave.
Toppenish, WA 98948

Register at
https://www.aawa.us/events/2021-train-trek-toppenish/

Tri-Cities - Saturday, August 14, 7:00 PM

Hampton Inn Richland/Tri-Cities
486 Bradley Blvd
Richland, WA 99352

These events will also be available electronically. Additional meetings are being offered statewide. Details are available at https://www.aawa.us/impact/2021-train-trek/

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2021 East-West Train Trek Report

September 1, 2021

Between August 12th and 21st, Patrick Carnahan and Charlie Hamilton led a number of meetings across Washington and Idaho in a series called the 2021 East-West Train Trek. Patrick and Charlie also participated in the 30th Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) Summit in Big Sky, Montana. The purpose of this trip was to improve awareness of rail issues and opportunities in the Pacific Northwest; discover opportunities for better collaboration with stakeholders and partners; and increase the organization’s capacity to educate the public and elected officials to serve its mission and vision in line with its charter as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization....

Advocates Meet to Discuss Improving Passenger Rail Service for the Tri-Cities and the Yakima Valley

August 9, 2021

Transportation and infrastructure issues are of greater significance than ever before. Several studies have confirmed that there is a significant need for, and interest in, improved and more frequent Cascades service, daytime east-west service, and service to southeast Washington. We envision that the Tri-Cities and the Yakima Valley will be hubs for these improvements....

Advocates Travel Statewide to Share Vision for Improving Passenger Rail Service

August 7, 2021

A group of advocates is embarking on a trip across Washington state to share its vision of how improved passenger rail can bring economic, environmental and equity benefits to local communities. Members of the group All Aboard Washington (AAWA) will hold a series of fourteen meetings as part of the 2021 Train Trek in communities of all sizes, including Edmonds, Everett, Leavenworth, Wenatchee, Yakima, Toppenish, the Tri-Cities, Walla Walla, Clarkston-Lewiston, Sandpoint, Spokane, Cheney, Ritzville, Ellensburg, and Cle Elum between August 12 and 21....

Improving Passenger Rail Service to the Spokane Area

August 4, 2021

Transportation and infrastructure issues are of greater significance than ever before. Several studies have confirmed that there is a significant need for, and interest in, improved and more frequent Cascades service, as well as daytime east-west service. As your representative for better transportation for over 40 years, AAWA wants your voice to be heard in Olympia! These events will also be available electronically. Additional meetings are being offered statewide. Details are available at https://www.aawa.us/impact/2021-train-trek/...