Economy, Environment, Equity

Our Top Priorities

Expand cross-state passenger rail service

Washington State Transportation Commission, 2021 Annual Report

"Multimodal transportation requires ongoing investments aimed at continually expanding services and options statewide. To achieve climate priorities and goals, the state needs to actively pursue enhanced multimodal travel across the state. Reliable and efficient passenger rail service could address this need, based upon further detailed assessment. To make this travel option more attractive, service should be structured around a triangular route that runs between Seattle, Moses Lake, Spokane, and the Tri-Cities, with a keen eye to consideration around last-mile connections at each destination. Having reliable and efficient intra-state passenger rail service will enable more drivers to use a service that is both cost-effective and beneficial to the climate, as compared to current vehicular or air travel powered by fossil fuels. Given the priorities of the current federal funding program, now is the time for Washington State to actively pursue the assessment, design and funding of a long-term passenger rail service expansion program, including high-speed rail, that connects our entire state and supports regional economic growth and our tourism industry."