FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 1997
Contact: Marc Magliari (312) 655-1338

AMTRAK STATEMENT REGARDING THE PIONEER, WHICH HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR DISCONTINUANCE EFFECTIVE MAY 10, 1997

Amtrak has been working with state and local officials to explore service options along segments of train routes set for discontinuance on May 10, 1997. Governors along the Denver-Seattle route of the Pioneer were given notice that decisions about state financial support for the continued operation of this service were required by last weekend.

In Oregon, state and local officials had explored the possibility of funding a replacement service for the Pioneer which would operate between Portland and Salt Lake City only.

Unfortunately, despite great interest and substantial concern expressed by several states, no formal commitments have been made to fund a replacement service for the Pioneer. Therefore, Amtrak will proceed with plans to withdraw service along the route.

Effective May 10, Amtrak will restore daily service to the full route of the California Zephyr from Chicago to Oakland/San Francisco, via Denver and Salt Lake City. The Seattle to Portland portion of the Pioneer route will continue to be served by the Coast Starlight, a long-distance train between Seattle and Los Angeles, as well as short-distance trains on Amtrak's Pacific Northwest Corridor.

Also effective May 10, Amtrak will restore daily service to the full route of the Empire Builder from Chicago to Seattle/Portland, Ore., via Minneapolis/St. Paul.