Amtrak adds second round-trip train between Seattle and Canada

Amtrak Cascades will start a second daily round-trip train from Seattle to Vancouver, B.C., on Aug. 19.

The state Department of Transportation announced the start date Wednesday. The long-awaited service will run at least through the 2010 Winter Olympics in February in Vancouver.

Amtrak was ready to begin the second round-trip train a year ago, but Canada's insistence that the railway cover daily costs for customs staff in Vancouver derailed the plan.

That fee was waived, at least for the next seven months, by the Canada Border Services Agency after pressure from train supporters and officials on both sides of the border.

The new train will make it easier for business travelers and vacationers from Western Washington and Portland (where the train originates) to make quick trips to Vancouver. It will be especially convenient for travelers to B.C. during the Olympics, because vehicle border crossings will be busy and private cars will be restricted in much of downtown Vancouver.

Trains will leave from Seattle for Vancouver daily at 7:40 a.m. (current train) and 6:50 p.m. (the new train).

Trains will depart Vancouver daily at 6:40 a.m. (new train) and 5:45 p.m. (current train). The trip takes about four hours one-way.

Amtrak Cascades is operated by Amtrak in partnership with the Washington and Oregon departments of transportation.

Kristin Jackson: kjackson@seattletimes.com