December 20, 2019

Year-End News from AAWA

We have had a successful year, and 2020 looks to be even busier. Check out the latest from our website and social media, as well as other sources.

Seattle Weekly covers AAWA's work to expand east-west service in "Catch a train: WA considers an Auburn to Spokane rail line"
https://www.seattleweekly.com/news/catch-a-train-wa-considers-an-auburn-to-spokane-rail-line/

AAWA Fourth Quarter newsletter includes information on I-976, Cascades pre-clearance, and more news from Washington and Oregon.
https://www.aawa.us/about/newsletters/fourth-quarter-2019/

In the wake of Initiative 976, we should re-evaluate our state's transportation priorities.
https://www.aawa.us/posts/re-evaluating-our-priorities/

Two years after the Amtrak 501 tragedy, it's time to restore service to the Point Defiance bypass.
https://www.aawa.us/posts/restoring-cascades-service-levels/

AAWA honors Lloyd Flem at the State Capitol on December 14.
https://www.aawa.us/posts/aawa-honors-lloyd-flem/

Improved passenger rail means competitive times, more frequencies, better amenities, and new service.
https://www.aawa.us/posts/cascades-service-improvements/

Board meeting at Freighthouse Square on January 11; contact us to RSVP.
https://www.aawa.us/events/aawa-board-meeting-january-2020/

Save the date! Rail Passenger Association Northwest Meeting at UW Tacoma on Saturday, April 18.
https://www.aawa.us/events/rail-passengers-association-nw-meeting/

The Legislature's Joint Transportation Committee and the Washington State Department of Transportation meet to consider transportation improvements.
https://www.aawa.us/posts/mid-december-updates-from-olympia/

The 2020 Legislative Session begins in January. AAWA will hold educational events for elected officials. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest information. And look for our next newsletter in late January, which will be published in cooperation with the Association of Oregon Rail and Transit Advocates (AORTA).

We wish you a very happy holiday season, and successful and safe travels in the new year!

Patrick Carnahan
Charlie Hamilton
All Aboard Washington

All Aboard Washington Testifies For Rail Safety Legislation

January 16, 2020

The impacts of the tragic December 18, 2017 Cascades 501 derailment on the Point Defiance Bypass are still being felt in Olympia. In response to the incident, which took the lives of three passengers, including our valued colleagues and friends Jim Hamre and Zack Willhoite, the House Transportation Committee (HTC) convened on January 15. The committee heard testimony on HB 2287, a bill intended to improve rail safety governance. The intent of the bill is to improve cooperation and coordination among the large number of responsible state and federal agencies....

Year-End News from AAWA

December 20, 2019

We have had a successful year, and 2020 looks to be even busier. Check out the latest from our website and social media, as well as other sources....

Mid-December Updates From Olympia

December 19, 2019

The Joint Transportation Committee (JTC) presented an update of the East-West Intercity Passenger Rail Study at the Capitol on Tuesday, Dec 17th, 2019. Dave Catterson of the JTC was joined by Ian Sproul of Steer, the consulting group selected to conduct the study. Sproul summarized Steer’s outreach efforts in Yakima and the Tri-Cities, their modeling work to date, and their anticipated next steps for the project. Catterson and Sproul also took the time to answer the questions of representatives. Rep. Beohnke of Kennewick expressed his interest in improving cooperation with local councils of government, saying, “Let me know, of course, so I can help make sure they’re highly motivated.” The study is due in June 2020, with a significant progress report expected in May. The route in question, the Stampede Pass rail line owned by Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad, handled passenger trains for over 90 years until 1981. The next day, WSDOT conducted a meeting at their Olympia headquarters providing an update to the state rail plan....

Cascades Service Improvements

December 19, 2019

The need for fast, frequent, and reliable passenger rail service in Washington has never been more urgent. All Aboard Washington’s (AAWA’s) goal is to make passenger rail service safer, more comfortable, more reliable, faster, and more frequent....