Amtrak Cascades, which already has reported record ridership for last year, is starting new promotions and adding more goodies for riders.

Starting Monday, Amtrak Cascades will offer travelers a free food voucher to use when riding to and from Vancouver, B.C. Amtrak Cascades “Bistro Bucks” can be redeemed for up to $10 in food and non-alcoholic beverage purchases in the bistro car. The offer continues through March 18; more details are available at AmtrakCascades.com/BistroBucks.

Also, upgrades are under way on all video systems on Amtrak Cascades trains. New flat screen monitors are being installed, expected to aid communication between passengers and Amtrak staff and provide passengers with more travel information.

Last month, the state Department of Transportation and Amtrak added free Wi-Fi service on all trains.
The Wi-Fi service and new video system, provided jointly by Amtrak and the DOT, is part of a long-term project to refurbish all the trains and extend their service life for the next 20 years.

Ridership on Amtrak Cascades finished 2010 with a 16-year high of 838,251 passengers, up 10 percent from 2009.

Amtrak Cascades operates three daily round trips between Portland and Seattle; one daily round trip between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., and one between Portland and Vancouver, B.C.; and daily service between Eugene and Seattle, via Portland. For more information visit AmtrakCascades.com.