SEATTLE – On two of the busiest travel days of the year, Amtrak Cascades will once again provide holiday travelers with more options for getting to destinations in Washington and Oregon.
During Thanksgiving weekend, the Washington State Department of Transportation will offer two additional Amtrak Cascades train trips between Seattle and Portland. The Oregon Department of Transportation will operate on its holiday/weekend schedule Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 25–26, and Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 28–29 and also offer extra bus service on Wednesday and Sunday
Amtrak Cascades will add two trips each day between Seattle and Portland to its regular schedule Wednesday, Nov. 25, and Sunday, Nov. 29; Thruway/POINT buses will provide extra service continuing south to Eugene:
:
| TRAIN | STATIONS | TRAIN | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 511 | 514 | |||
|
11/25/2015 11/29/2015 |
11/25/2015 11/29/2015 |
|||
| DP | 12:30 PM | SEATTLE | AR | 10:00 PM |
| 12:45 PM | TUKWILA | 9:16 PM | ||
| 1:25 PM | TACOMA | 8:46 PM | ||
| 2:13 PM | OLYMPIA-LACEY | 7:58 PM | ||
| 2:35 PM | CENTRALIA | 7:35 PM | ||
| 3:21 PM | KELSO-LONGVIEW | 6:50 PM | ||
| 4:03 PM | VANCOUVER, WA | 6:05 PM | ||
| AR | 4:45 PM | PORTLAND, OR | DP | 5:45 PM |
| DP | 5:00 PM | PORTLAND, OR (bus) | ||
| AR | 6:10 PM | SALEM | ||
| AR | 6:55 PM | ALBANY | ||
| AR | 7:40 PM | EUGENE | ||
| AR | 7:50 PM | EUGENE - UO |
DP = Depart and AR = Arrive. Read down for Train 511 and from the bottom up for Train 514.
Changes to Oregon’s Willamette Valley service on Wednesday, Nov. 25 include the following:
Northbound, from Eugene
- The 5:30 a.m. northbound train from Eugene will be replaced by a bus.
- The train will then depart at 9 a.m.
- An extra bus will depart UO at 6:40 p.m., picking up passengers at the Amtrak station at 7 p.m. and making stops at Albany and Salem before arriving in Portland at 9:45 p.m.
- The 6 a.m. southbound train from Portland will depart at 8:30 a.m.
- For those traveling south from Portland early Wednesday, there will be Thruway/POINT buses departing Portland at 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. for Salem, Albany and Eugene.
Regular, one-way adult fares between Seattle and Portland start as low as $26. All Amtrak Cascades trains require reservations.
Amtrak Cascades is working hard to provide a great travel experience while connecting passengers with friends and family. These additional tips will help to ensure a smooth trip:
- Book early; avoid the rush: The busiest travel days are Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and Sunday after the holiday. Other than Thanksgiving Day, morning trains typically have more available seats than those in the afternoon or evening.
- Arrive early: Allow plenty of time at stations prior to departure – at least 45 minutes beforehand if picking up tickets. Arrange for pre-boarding if you need extra time or assistance, and use Amtrak Red Cap agents to help you with your baggage.
- Purchase tickets: Use eTicketing at AmtrakCascades.com, ticket machines at staffed stations, or by calling 800-USA-RAIL.
- Carry photo ID: Passengers are required to show valid photo identification when purchasing tickets. Make sure to carry valid photo ID at all times, as it may be requested aboard trains.
- Be safe: Be aware of your surroundings, stand back from the edge of the platform, do not leave your bags unattended, and watch your step when boarding or leaving the train or when walking between cars when the train is in motion.
- Up to four baggage items travel free: Passengers can bring two bags and two carry-ons, collectively weighing up to 150 pounds, for free. Additional bags cost $20 each.
Amtrak Cascades service is funded by WSDOT and ODOT and operated via contract by Amtrak. Visit AmtrakCascades.com or call 800–USA–RAIL for reservations and information.
Amtrak Cascades operates four daily round trips between Portland and Seattle; two daily round trips between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia; and two daily round trips between Portland and Eugene, Oregon.
Hyperlinks within the release:
- Amtrak Cascades: www.AmtrakCascades.com
- Regular schedule: www.amtrakcascades.com/Schedules.htm
- Hassle-free travel experience: http://bit.ly/1RPOhNo
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About WSDOT
WSDOT keeps people, businesses and the economy moving by operating and improving the state's transportation systems. To learn more about what we're doing, go towww.wsdot.wa.gov/News for pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or by dialing 5-1-1. WSDOT Rail Divisionwww.wsdot.wa.gov/rail. On Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/AmtrakCascades/. On Twitter @Amtrak_Cascades.
About ODOT
The Oregon DOT team works to provide a safe, efficient transportation system that supports economic opportunity and livable communities for Oregonians. Keep up-to-date on our efforts at www.oregon.gov/ODOT and stay on top of traffic, weather and incidents atwww.TripCheck.com (or call 5-1-1).
About Amtrak®
Amtrak – America’s Railroad® – is dedicated to safe and reliable mobility as the nation’s intercity passenger rail service provider and its high-speed rail operator. With our state and commuter partners, we move people, the economy and the nation forward, carrying more than 30 million Amtrak passengers for each of the past five years. Formally known as the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Amtrak is governed by a nine member board of directors appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Anthony R. Coscia is board chairman and Jeffrey R. Moreland is vice chairman. Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily – at speeds up to 150 mph (241 kph) – connecting more than 500 destinations in 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian Provinces.