Senate hears bill to set Amtrak Cascades speed, frequency and reliability targets by 2035

Senate Bill 5667, which would establish interim Amtrak Cascades service targets and require WSDOT to prioritize projects and report progress, received a lengthy hearing before the Senate Transportation Committee on Feb. 25.

Committee staff explained the bill updates service goals first established in statute in 1993. The bill would require WSDOT to pursue by Feb. 1, 2035: two‑and‑a‑half‑hour travel times between Seattle and Portland with a minimum of 14 round trips daily; 2.75‑hour travel times between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia, with at least five round trips daily; and a minimum system reliability of 88 percent on‑time performance. WSDOT must report progress to legislative transportation committees annually by Dec. 1 and explain any constraints that prevent meeting targets.

Senator Javier Valdez, the bill’s prime sponsor, said improved passenger rail would meet climate goals, reduce pollution and expand mobility options for the many Washingtonians who do not drive.

A broad coalition of rail advocates, medical professionals and environmental groups supported the bill. Dr. Breck Lebeg of Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility’s Climate and Health Task Force told the committee a stronger rail system would reduce vehicle crashes, pollution and health costs. Climate Action’s Megan Anderson noted that corridor improvements already identified in WSDOT’s long‑range plans would support the targets and that the corridor qualifies for Federal Railroad Administration planning funds that can be matched at 80 percent.

Rail advocates and researchers emphasized infrastructure needs as essential to meeting the targets. Testimony from Solutionary Rail, academic researchers and former rail professionals argued that dedicated passenger track segments, operational changes and capital investments could achieve the stated targets without requiring high‑speed rail technology. Several speakers noted that improvements to passenger service can also benefit freight fluidity.

Committee staff cautioned the bill does not itself compel host railroads (BNSF, Union Pacific) to change operating practices; rather the bill creates reporting requirements and a planning directive for WSDOT. Questions from senators focused on the limits of WSDOT’s authority over tracks owned by private railroads and on likely costs. Staff said WSDOT estimated a $750,000‑$1,000,000 scoping effort to analyze corridor needs to meet the targets; other estimates for full capital upgrades ranged from several billion dollars to $5–13 billion depending on scope.

Supporters urged passing the policy to guide future project development and federal grant applications; some senators asked about negotiating leverage with host railroads and the availability of federal matching funds. No committee vote was taken; the bill will continue through the legislative process.