News from AORTA and AAWA

Airo Trainsets Have Arrived!

Photo courtesy of Betty.

 

The new Airo trains will be seen testing on the corridor shortly! Service is expected to begin in September. Check out more photos at the Amtrak Cascades website. 

Ask Your DC Reps to Maintain and Expand Transit Investment

Visions and new equipment are great, but will there be funding for train service?

The latest budget proposal from the White House calls on Congress to cut funding for the Rail and Transit by up to 45%, including cuts to Amtrak, programs that help states develop passenger rail, and capital funding for local transit systems.

These cuts would be disastrous to the American transportation system. This is a time to invest more, not less, in passenger rail. This is a time to expand travel options beyond the car. Please take 30 seconds to ask your Senators and Representatives to restore the cuts to Rail and Transit funding. You can contact the US Congressional switchboard by calling: (202) 224-3121

Thank Senator Merkley for his Co-Sponsorship of Senate Bill 3728, the Long-Distance Corridor Relief Enhancement Act to Help Restore the Pioneer from Portland to Salt Lake City

Sen. Merkley has introduced S. 3728 which would reduce the funding barrier to restoring the Amtrak Pioneer and other long-distance trains.

S. 3728 — Long-Distance Corridor Relief Enhancement Act. Introduced by Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-MT), with Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) as cosponsor. Long-distance passenger rail spans multiple states and cannot reasonably be funded by the state and local commitments expected of shorter corridors. S. 3728 recognizes that the federal government bears primary responsibility for intercity passenger rail at the national scale and removes a planning-stage match barrier that is unworkable across jurisdictions.  

Jeff Merkley's endorsement and co-sponsorship of this bill shows a commitment to sustainable, low-emission and equitable access to transportation across the nation.​

Elected representatives regularly hear about all of the things they do wrong, or the things that their constituents dislike about them. When we have policy makers (especially ones that are not commonly considered "transit advocates") take risks to stand up for good public transit policy, it is vital for public transit and rail enthusiasts to express their support. Letting these policy makers know they are on the right track certainly makes them feel good, but more importantly it gives them evidence to show their colleagues and reinforce their confidence to stick to their principles. If no one shows up to say thanks, they may think it's easy to back track or trade away. 

So let Jeff know how glad we are that he endorsed the Long-Distance Corridor Relief Enhancement Act. Send your letter via the Senator’s website, or to his field offices in Baker City, Eugene, Portland, Bend, Medford and Salem. 

New Eugene-Medford Bus Service

Starting May 2, a new daily round-trip bus service departs from Eugene to Medford at 10 a.m., operated by Pacific Crest Bus Lines. 

Stops along the way include: Springfield, Coburg, Cottage Grove, Sutherlin, Roseburg, Canyonville, and Grants Pass. The bus departs Medford daily at 2:15 p.m., returning to Eugene. Learn more at: pacificcrestbuslines.net

Traveling from Portland? Hop on our POINT Intercity Bus Service for a smooth connection south to the Eugene Amtrak Station. Once in Medford, you can keep going to Klamath Falls, Ashland, and Brookings by way of the POINT’s Southwest Route.

Southern Oregon residents shared with us that they rely on transit to reach vital services and connect their communities. We're excited that this new service will help strengthen how you access transportation along western Oregon!

New Portland–Tri-Cities–Boise Bus Service

Residents of northeast Oregon now have a public transit option to reach Portland and Boise. The daily service is operated by Northwestern Stagelines and is funded by a grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation.

New Wheat Line Intercity Bus Route

Connecting Western Washington communities of Pasco, Eltopia, Connell, Othello, Moses Lake, Ritzville and Spokane. Details are available on the WSDOT website.

Join AORTA at the new Urbanist Social Hours

Join AORTA’s good friends at StrongTownsPDX for an urbanist happy hour tomorrow, Wednesday May 27th, at Hawthorne Plaza in SE Portland from 5pm to 7:30pm. You’ll be in the company of other advocates for transit, rail, housing, safe streets, sustainability & more!

This the first of a monthly series of urbanist get togethers in Portland this summer hosted by StrongTownsPDX. Each location was chosen because of its unique charm, neighborhood prosperity, and multi-modal transportation access. Every month will be different and special.

Save the dates:

• May 27th, in SE Portland
  Hawthorne and SE 37th, accessible by bus lines 14 and 75
• June 25th, in NW Portland
  Slabtown Plaza, accessible by bus lines 15, 24, 77 and Portland Streetcar
• July 30th, in North Portland
  N Fenwick & Interstate Ave, accessible by MAX Yellow Line and bus line 4
• August 27th, in Downtown Portland
  Cart Blocks: Burnside & Park Ave, accessible by numerous MAX, bus, and streetcar lines

Participate in cross-pollinating discussions on how transit & rail, affordability, housing, land-use, and financially sustainably interact and reinforce one another. Learn from and connect with subject matter experts, enthusiasts, and fellow advocates.

We hope to see you there!

And Save These Dates

June 11

Auburn as Rail Nexus

A virtual event discussing how the Amtrak Cascades, Sounder commuter rail, and the future Big Sky North Coast Corridor will intersect at Auburn, Washington. Featuring elected officials from the city, the state, and the region. Organized jointly by the Rail Can't Wait Coalition, All Aboard Washington, and the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER).

August 8
AAWA Summer Picnic at Northern Pacific Museum, Toppenish, WA

August 25-27
Greater Northwest Rail Summit, Helena, MT

Your Support is Needed

Please make generous donations to AORTA and AAWA to support expanding rail in the Pacific Northwest. Thank you!