Youth can now ride Amtrak trains and buses for free while in Washington state. Here’s how

Washington state’s commitment to decreasing transportation costs and pollution rates has been demonstrated numerous times in the past several years.

Signed into legislation in 2021, the state’s Climate Commitment Act drives Washington climate policies. It’s aimed at reducing state climate pollution 95% by 2050. Its funding created the Move Ahead Washington transportation package in 2022, which has led to free transit for youth on buses across the state, increased electric vehicle options and hybrid electric ferries in the state system.

Now, the Evergreen State has taken another stride in this direction, by offering free rides to accompanied minors on Amtrak Cascades trains and buses when traveling in Washington.

Amtrak Cascades free for minors

Passengers 18 and under can ride for free when accompanied by adults on any trip that begins and ends in Washington state, according to a recent press release from Amtrak Cascades. If you’re traveling outside of the state, you can purchase an additional ticket for the out-of-state station in order to use the free rate between Washington stations.

Passengers ages 16 to 18 can also utilize the free fare when traveling alone. Children from ages 13-15 who are not with an adult must pay full fare.

Amtrak Cascades includes 18 stations from Oregon to Canada, 12 of which are in Washington. These stations include:

• Eugene, Ore.
• Albany, Ore.
• Salem, Ore.
• Oregon City, Ore.
• Portland, Ore.
• Vancouver, Wash.
• Kelso/Longview, Wash.
• Centralia, Wash.
• Olympia/Lacey, Wash.
• Tacoma, Wash.
• Tukwila, Wash.
• Seattle, Wash.
• Edmonds, Wash.
• Everett, Wash.
• Stanwood, Wash.
• Mount Vernon, Wash.
• Bellingham, Wash.
• Vancouver B.C.

To travel between Seattle and Vancouver, Washington takes a considerable amount of gas, regardless of the car. But one-way adult Amtrak fares start at $27, so a family of two adults and minors can make the trip for less than $60. Trips are limited to eight passengers.

You still have to order a ticket for each minor you travel with, so the passenger count is updated. The free pricing will automatically apply when ordering. Free youth tickets are not available at ticket kiosks or onboard trains, and must be ordered online ahead of time.

While the Amtrak Cascades site will see this update in the coming weeks, free youth tickets are available now by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL.

Funded by the Move Ahead Washington package and the Washington Climate Commitment Act, this is the first program of its kind across Amtrak’s national reach. It reaches a large portion of the state population, as more than 20% of the state’s population is youth ages 18 and younger, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation. The program is meant to assist this generation of youth, and their families, with increased green transportation options.

“We’re hoping to inspire an entire generation to consider trains as a viable choice when traveling along the Interstate-5 corridor,” stated Jason Biggs, director of WSDOT’s Rail, Freight, and Ports Division, in a press release.

This story was originally published May 29, 2024 at 11:32 AM with the headline "Youth can now ride Amtrak trains and buses for free while in Washington state. Here’s how."