All Aboard Washington pulls into Cheney

SEATTLE — Advocates for expanding passenger rail service in Washington state – including a new, east-west route, are bringing a public presentation and fact-finding session to Eastern Washington.

All Aboard Washington’s “2021 Train Trek” is making two stops in the Spokane area next week. Thursday, Aug. 19, will feature a session at the Spokane Airport Event Center, 9211 W. McFarlane Road, beginning at 5 p.m.

The organization follows that with another session on Friday, Aug. 20, at Cheney’s Wren Pierson Community Center, 615 4th St., starting at 10 a.m. before heading for Ritzville for an afternoon presentation there.

All Aboard Washington (AAWA) officials state in a news release that several studies have indicated a significant need for and renewed public interest in expanded passenger rail service, not only in the Puget Sound/Interstate 5 corridor but also communities in and near the Cascades, Yakima Valley and in Eastern and Central Washington. With mounting budget concerns, mobility issues and climate threats, All Aboard Washington envisions expanding passenger rail options as a proactive solution to “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 action should be taken to sustain our state’s economic vitality, environmental commitments and equitable access for all citizens,” AAWA co-executive director Patrick Carnahan said in the news release.

AAWA co-executive director Charles Hamilton said the organization has a vision for passenger rail in Washington, but wants to hear from citizens what they might want and need, specifically for their region — hence the Train Trek, which will take officials around the state the next several weeks.

“We have our vision, but we also want feedback from the community,” Hamilton said.

Part of that vision is not only expanding the state-supported Amtrack Cascades passenger service but also improving connections between local and regional transit services. With regards to the latter, Hamilton said interest has been expressed in providing passenger rail service to Spokane International Airport using existing lines that terminate near the airport, with either bus shuttle service continuing from there or the possibility of building a tram system.

“That would be something I think people would be very interested in,” Hamilton said.

As for east-west passenger train service, a 2020 study by the Steer Group for the Legislature indicated interest in twice-daily service between Seattle and Spokane using current Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail lines. The service would be in addition to the current Amtrack Empire Builder, and through Tri-Cities, Yakima and over Stamped Pass to Auburn, making stops also at Toppenish, Ellensburg, Cle Elum, Tukwila and SeaTac International Airport.

The Steer study authors noted there would be requirements to upgrade and improve the infrastructure along this line should passenger rail return, including additional and longer passing tracks, passenger rail stations, snow sheds and plows and other amenities.

Hamilton said officials at in Pullman and Ellensburg have expressed interest in such a rail service as another way transportation method for college students, and that AAWA is considering a “collegiate-type” train trek at some point to gather more feedback on that aspect of east-west service.

“It’s about creating a new service, with connections at several points,” he added. “That’s really what we’re talking about, is giving people some options.”

Registration for the Spokane Airport Event Center session on Aug. 19 is available at http://www.aawa.us/events/2021-train-trek-spokane-area/. There is a mandatory mask-wearing requirement in place at the airport so all attendees at this event must comply.

Registration for the Cheney session on Aug. 20 is available at http://www.us/events/2021-train-trek-cheney/.

According to its website, All Aboard Washington was previously known as Washington Association of Rail Passengers and has advocate for passenger rail service for over 40 years.

John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].