“It may be time to turn those hard-to-say-no-to #students loose on things the #Legislature could do that would affect them directly, like expanding the free school lunch program, guaranteeing a set amount of recess time or coming up with more money for nurses, counselors and librarians.”…and #trains. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/mar/18/spin-control-suciasaurus-walks-path-of-many-specia/

2nd Annual Greater Northwest Passenger Rail Summit, July 19-20, Boise, ID https://mobilizon.us/events/32e58a20-01e4-4448-a40a-39c0958d2835

Rethinking #commuting. “A new survey released Thursday from the University of Washington’s Mobility Innovation Center and Commute Seattle reveals #travel trends that have taken root three years since the start of the COVID-19 #pandemic.…Seattle workers are more likely to physically commute to their #workplace on #Tuesday, #Wednesday and #Thursday.” https://www.geekwire.com/2023/seattle-commute-survey-reveals-big-shift-in-when-and-how-workers-are-traveling-into-city/

“Five cars were upgraded in the mid-1990s as “Pacific Parlour cars” for Amtrak’s Los Angeles–Seattle Coast Starlight, and were named them after wineries on the route. No. 576/39971 was never upgraded and was used as a spare, although the Pacific Parlour logo was placed by the center door. The Pacific Parlour cars were retired in 2018 and sold.” https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/santa-fe-hi-level-lounge-acquired-by-arizona-museum/

“The #BC provincial government is committing $18 million in funding to further the conversation over what to do with the defunct #Vancouver Island #Rail corridor. It has been more than a decade since the trains were used to haul freight and carry passengers up and down Vancouver Island, but the hope is for the railway to eventually be restored.” https://globalnews.ca/news/9551959/island-rail-future/

"#Vancouver Mayor Pro Tem Ty Stober called for the #Interstate #Bridge Replacement Program to conduct a new study of a #tunnel after the #CoastGuard and the federal government requested that program officials study a #drawbridge in addition to a fixed-span crossing." https://www.columbian.com/news/2023/mar/13/stober-study-tunnel-for-interstate-bridge-replacement-program/

“All Aboard #Minnesota has long advocated for daytime passenger #train service from the #TwinCities through St. Cloud, Little Falls, to #Fargo Moorhead on the same route as #Amtrak's #EmpireBuilder. We have just produced a new #video to talk about the route, proposed schedule, and benefits of this new service. This route is part of MnDOT's state rail passenger plan, and we hope it can move forward soon!” https://www.allaboardmn.org/about/news/blog/new-video-proposed-daytime-passenger-train-service-twin-cities-to-fargo-moorhead/

“Restoring long distance passenger #rail service is an opportunity with authentic benefits for #Yakima. We don’t need a costly, bloated airport to get that #Amtrak. Train travel is wonderful. Passenger #trains can carry us where we need to go, bring in tourists who want to be here right to downtown and not disrupt our daily lives. Amtrak is a bouquet of flowers compared to a game of Russian roulette with an airport expansion.” https://www.yakimaherald.com/opinion/guest-commentary-airport-expansion-takes-yakima-off-course/article_cb937766-bece-11ed-942a-973fe964e65a.html

"Daily direct #train service between #Oregon and #Canada was fully restored this week on the popular #Amtrak #Cascades route after being derailed by the pandemic in 2020. Passengers now have multiple #vacation options for short or long jaunts to 12 station stops from #Portland to #Vancouver, British Columbia. " https://www.heraldnet.com/news/ride-the-rails-on-the-amtrak-cascades-for-a-rumbling-adventure/

“According to the FTA, these large rail and bus rapid transit (BRT) projects were recommended to receive federal support.…In Utah, the Utah Department of Transportation FrontRunner Strategic Double Track project will include double-tracking sections of the current FrontRunner system, and purchasing 10 new train sets, increasing capacity. ($316.8 million)…In Washington, $250.7 million is recommended for the Seattle Lynwood Link Light Rail extension project.” https://www.railwayage.com/regulatory/fta-4-45b-for-major-transit-projects/

Nebraska lawmaker pitches return to Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission https://www.3newsnow.com/news/political/nebraska-lawmaker-pitches-return-to-midwest-interstate-passenger-rail-commission

“The #Tacoma City Council approved an agreement at its Feb. 28 council meeting to sell a portion of its Tacoma #Rail line, leaving the future of a Tacoma to Mount #Rainier #trail outside of city control.” https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article272702605.html#storylink=cpy

Advocates say a new federal study could bring a passenger #train route back through #Yakima https://kimatv.com/news/local/advocates-say-a-new-federal-study-could-bring-a-passenger-train-route-back-through-yakima#

"BISMARCK — North #Dakota’s Attorney General said during a State Historical Board Friday that BNSF Railway owns the #Bismarck-Mandan #Rail #Bridge, the first time the attorney general’s office has weighed in on the ownership issue contested by a group that wants to preserve the 140-year-old bridge, which BNSF wants to replace. " https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/north-dakota-attorney-general-indicates-bnsf-owns-bismarck-bridge/

“Advocates for passenger #rail transportation in #Nebraska renewed their calls Saturday for more state action on proposed rail projects, including a long-dreamed #commuter line between #Omaha and #Lincoln.” https://omaha.com/news/state-and-regional/group-calls-on-nebraska-to-update-plan-create-passenger-rail-between-omaha-and-lincoln/article_1c7fc54a-b9fb-11ed-8dd5-d731b53fbe74.html

“Amtrak riders officially have access to a second daily #train between Bellingham and #Vancouver, B.C., on the #Cascades route.…Pre-pandemic, more than 750,000 annual riders utilized the route connecting the state of #Washington, #Oregon and #BritishColumbia.” https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/article272718760.html#storylink=cpy