Cascadia statement on the continuation of second train to Vancouver
For Immediate Release
10/15/2010
Official Statement on the Second Train to Vancouver: Bruce Agnew, director, Cascadia Center for Regional Development
“Cascadia Center supports the Canadian government’s decision to pay the border fee costs needed to keep a second Amtrak Cascades train running between Seattle and Vancouver. This represents an important victory for the region and for passenger rail. We congratulate the following: Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, who called her Canadian counterpart, Public Safety Minister Toews, to encourage the reversal; Governor Gregoire and B.C. Premier Campbell, who kept their commitment to high-speed rail alive; WSDOT Secretary Paula Hammond, who worked diligently with her counterpart, Transport Minister Shirley Bond, to document the economic and environmental benefits of the train; and, Senator Patty Murray, Congressman Rick Larsen, and all the mayors who signed support letters to Prime Minister Harper. This is a regional victory, and it is fitting that leaders at all levels of government joined together to ensure the continuation of this important transportation service.”