The route linking Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, BC served nearly one million riders in 2024.

Amtrak’s Cascades rail service linking Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland broke ridership records last year, indicating a renewed interest in intercity rail travel in the Pacific Northwest, reports Kenneth Chan for Daily Hive. “Currently, Amtrak Cascades operates two daily cross-border round-trip trains between Vancouver and Seattle with four trains, six daily roundtrip trains between Seattle and Portland with 12 trains, and two daily roundtrip trains between Portland and Eugene with four trains.”
The service was shut down during the pandemic, then fully revived in March 2023. The line served over 985,000 passengers in 2024, up from 746,000 in 2023. “Furthermore, the Vancouver-Seattle segment saw its own record ridership in 2024, with 205,000 passengers using Amtrak Cascades at Pacific Central Station — up from 161,000 in 2023 and 169,000 in 2019.” The line began offering free fares for youth 18 and under in 2024 for trips within Washington state.
FULL STORY: Record-breaking year for Amtrak Cascades ridership between Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland

Legendary Parking Guru Donald Shoup Dies at 86
Urbanists are mourning the loss of a dynamic voice for parking reform and walkable cities.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

Federal EV Charging Program Suspended
The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program planned to fund the construction of hundreds of EV charging stations across the country.

A Monument to Resilience: Native Hawaiian Art Installation Honors History and Healing
The towering ʻUmeke Lāʻau installation by Native Hawaiian artist Meleanna Aluli Meyer, unveiled at Honolulu's city hall, is a powerful symbol of cultural resilience and healing.

Rethinking Fire-Resistant Landscaping: Which Trees Should We Plant?
Fire experts emphasize the need to replace highly flammable trees like Mexican fan palms and eucalyptus with fire-resistant species such as oak, sycamore, and toyon, while also strengthening home fire defenses to reduce wildfire risks in California.

Fremont, California Criminalizes Homelessness, “Abetting” Encampments
Non-profits worry the ordinance, which does not explicitly exempt service providers, will have a chilling effect on unhoused residents and those who offer resources.
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