Returning Passenger Trains to a Station Near You: Why and How
The 2023 All Aboard Northwest Train Trek was a great success. See the Our Work section for details.
Original press release: Advocates Meet to Discuss Restoring Passenger Rail Service in Eastern Oregon and Idaho
Passenger rail advocacy groups All Aboard Northwest (AANW) and The Association of Oregon Rail and Transit Advocates are bringing their 2023 Train Trek to Weiser, Idaho, and Ontario, Baker City, and Hood River, Oregon on Friday, July 21 through Sunday, July 23.
There are unprecedented funds available for transportation improvements under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). AAWA, in cooperation with The Association of Oregon Rail and Transit Advocates (AORTA) and All Aboard Northwest (AANW) is working to spread the word, because a safe, robust, seamless transportation system will bring significant economic, environmental and equity benefits to communities of all sizes.
Since passenger rail service through eastern Oregon was discontinued in 1997, several studies have confirmed that there is a significant need for, and interest in, trains that would offer local and regional connections. The Federal Railroad Administration is currently conducting a Daily Long-Distance Service Study to evaluate the feasibility of restoring this and other services.
During the 2023 Train Trek, AANW and AORTA will share the latest news on potential service restoration. They will discuss how expanded passenger rail service can bring significant economic, equity, and environmental benefits to the communities it serves. They will focus on collecting feedback from citizens, community leaders, and elected officials about their transportation needs.
AANW's vision is for seamless multimodal transportation connectivity for the Greater Northwest Region of the United States focused around a robust passenger rail system core. Improved door-to-door connectivity between sidewalks, local public transit, and intercity rail provides economic, environmental, and equity benefits to all, including low-income, tribal, disability, and rural communities; locations where transportation alternatives are limited; and the nearly 30 percent of the population that does not drive.
“With targets for reductions of vehicle trips, greenhouse gas emissions, and traffic fatalities all coming due over the next decade, immediate actions should be taken to sustain our region’s economic vitality, environmental commitments, and equitable access for all citizens,” said Patrick Carnahan, AANW’s policy director.
Weiser, Idaho
Friday, July 21
1:00 pm MT
Weiser Train Depot
1 State Street
Weiser, ID 83672
Register at https://allaboardnw.org/events/train-trek-weiser/
Ontario, Oregon
Saturday, July 22
10:00 am MT
Ontario Community Library
388 S.W. 2nd Avenue
Ontario, OR 97914
Register at https://allaboardnw.org/events/train-trek-ontario/
Baker City, Oregon
Saturday, July 22
4:00 pm PT
Carnegie Crossroads Art Center
2020 Auburn Ave
Baker City, OR 97814
Register at https://allaboardnw.org/events/train-trek-baker-city/
Hood River, Oregon
Sunday, July 23
1:00 pm PT
Hood River Library
502 State Street
Hood River, OR 97031
Register at https://allaboardnw.org/events/train-trek-hood-river/
Published July 11, 2023