Ensuring Robust Intercity Passenger Rail in the Pacific North West: Amtrak Cascades as a Case Study
Speakers: Arvia Morris, Brandon Bowersox-Johnson, Tim Gould
Amtrak Cascades Intercity Passenger Rail is part of the Federal Corridor Identification & Development Program, with potential for vastly improved service linking Vancouver BC, Seattle, Portland, and Eugene, Oregon. In this talk, you can hear from local passenger rail advocates about the Cascades service and their campaign to accelerate the work to increase frequency, reliability and faster trip times. Advocates will also discuss how a robust Amtrak Cascades regional service fits in with concurrent planning for high-speed service. Join us to learn how rail service in the Northwest corridor could rival the Northeast corridor in its popularity and efficiency and how advocates for the Cascades service can work with other transportation leaders to accelerate much needed mode shift across the region in both passenger and freight rail.
Arvia Morris PhD, retired from biotechnology manufacturing and is a long time climate advocate. Arvia has volunteered with Climate Rail Alliance since 2021 to promote the climate and environmental justice aspects of rail for people and the economy.
Tim Gould is an environmental engineer who has been active in transportation advocacy for over 3 decades and is especially passionate about better passenger rail service. He is a member of the Council of Representatives for the Rail Passengers Association, is a board member of the non-profit Climate Rail Alliance, and chairs the Transportation & Land Use Committee of the Sierra Club Washington Chapter.
Brandon Bowersox-Johnson is a community organizer who co-leads the 350 Seattle Aviation Team, working to build a more just transportation system that moves people and goods in ways that are better for our communities, workers, and the planet.
