Enthusiasts push restoring passenger service

RITZVILLE - A nonprofit railroad group is pushing to restore passenger service to several communities across the state.

Two weeks ago, All Aboard Washington leaders stopped in Ritzville and Cheney, among other communities, in their effort to solicit input on restoring passenger rail service linking Seattle, the Tri-Cities and Spokane.

The "2021 Train Trek" team presented a project that would renew daily rail travel across Stampede Pass to the Kittitas Valley, Yakima and into Eastern Washington by utilizing dormant tracks across the region.

The route could potentially utilize Ritzville and Cheney at an estimated cost of $430 million.

"Our transportation network across the entire state, whether it's on the west side or the east side, is woefully inefficient; it's woefully insufficient for the needs that we have," All-Aboard Co-Executive Director Patrick Carnahan said.

A new rail system, according to Carnahan, would alleviate the need to fly or maintain a vehicle for interstate travel, as well as expand mobility to residents constricted by financial and logistical burdens.

According to a survey conducted by the organization, 11% of people would not have traveled if a train wasn't available to them.

In addition, the decline in road traffic would reduce harmful emissions in well-trodden parts of the state.

A recent University of Washington study found tire dust contributed to the mass killing of coho salmon in waterways adjacent to highways.

"We understand from the intergovernmental panel on climate change that if we want to avoid the worst potential climate damage, we have less than ten years to act," Carnahan said.

The proposed plan would initiate a twice-a-day service between Spokane and Seattle with estimated ticket prices ranging from around $50 to $100, based on current Amtrak rates.

Travel times are also under consideration with the Yakima to Seattle trip projected at 3 hours 45 minutes, Pasco to Spokane at 2 hours 30 minutes, and Spokane to Seattle at 8 hours 35 minutes.

Meeting-goers in Cheney praised the ease of rail travel but questioned the feasibility of the project given the historic need for strong lobbying power in transportation projects.

A Spokane Transit employee expanded on these concerns and inquired about potential funding streams, employee costs and construction timelines. According to Carnahan, potential remedies remain in the planning stage.

To Cheney and Ritzville, a new rail system implies increased connectivity to traditionally bypassed towns, and a much-needed economic boost.

The presentation stated that the average traveler spends $84 per day - or $366 if staying overnight - and entails the potential for a $7 million distribution across included regions. Beyond the fiscal advantage, many locals view the project as means to improve their quality of life.

"We're all getting older, and at some point, we're not going to be driving anymore. We're going to be having appointments in Spokane, and hey, here's a golden opportunity," said train enthusiast and Ritzville resident Charles Jingling in a 2020 interview with the Ritzville Adams County Journal. "And one thing I've found out about is that, everyone on a train, they're not in a hurry. You've flown places, and everybody's in a hurry. 'Hurry up and get there, hurry up and get there.' On the train, it's 'we're here, so let's enjoy the ride.'"