Are you hopping onto the Amtrak Cascades anytime soon? Then you’ll be happy to hear that ride times are being cut down.
If you’re looking to save some minutes, then now’s your chance to head from Vancouver to Seattle to capitalize on the time changes!
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Saving Time From Vancouver to Seattle
Due to streamlined customs inspections for travellers heading into the U.S., your ride to Seattle will be slightly shorter than before.
Vancouver’s train station is now officially known as a “preclearance designation.” This means that trains do not need to stop in Blaine for U.S. Customs agents to do a secondary review of declaration cards, carry-on items, and luggage. This comes right as crowds are heading into Seattle for FIFA World Cup matches.
Transportation officials said that this new designation should cut 10 minutes off the trip. Now, your train rides will be an even four hours.
“This is a historic moment for passenger rail in North America,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris. “Launching the continent’s first rail preclearance facility reflects what’s possible when strong partners come together with a shared focus on the customer experience. This improvement makes cross-border travel faster, easier, and more seamless from the moment passengers arrive at the station.”
