Oregon Public Broadcasting

The long-awaited second daily Amtrak Cascades train to Vancouver, B.C. makes its inaugural run Wednesday evening, starting from Portland.

The president of the Clipper Vacations company, Darrell Bryan, books many customers on the route. He plans to board the run in Seattle.

Bryan says the additional train to British Columbia will give travelers more flexibility.

Darrell Bryan: “It's a much needed service. As you know, the congestion on I-5 is terrible; the issues at the border with long waits. With this, the ease and convenience of crossing the border and clearing once you arrive in Vancouver.”

Amtrak was ready to start the second cross-border train a year ago. The service expansion was held up until the Canadian government relented on a demand for an expensive border-crossing inspection fee.

The Canadians have waived the fee until after the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

The cross-border Amtrak service will be reevaluated by both countries after that.

Online:

Amtrak Cascades