SEATTLE - Amtrak ridership continued to grow for the 26th consecutive month with more than 120,420 passenger trips in the Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor during the first quarter of calendar year 1999 (January-March). The ridership trend represents an 8.7 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

Amtrak and state officials attribute the continued rise in Pacific Northwest ridership to the launch of the new Amtrak Cascades service and the introduction of new, European-style train equipment, custom-built for the region. Amtrak Cascades continue to rank among Amtrak's top ten services for customer satisfaction nationwide.

Amtrak service diverted more than 6.5 million miles of traffic from regional highways and prevented more than 151 tons of air pollution, according to the states of Washington and Oregon, had Pacific Northwest Amtrak customers used other means of transportation during the same period.

As part of Amtrak's national effort to offer consistent and competitive customer service, Amtrak Cascades custom class will now be called business class. Business class amenities offered to Amtrak Cascades customers and the fare charged for the upgrade will not differ from the current custom class service. Business class customers enjoy wider, more comfortable seating; priority boarding and deboarding; and complimentary snack, non-alcoholic beverage and newspaper.

The change in name better reflects the level of service offered to Amtrak Cascades customers and is consistent with business class service across the Amtrak system nationwide. Regular one-way adult fares between Eugene and Seattle start as low as $29; Seattle and Portland, $21; and Seattle and Vancouver, BC, $21. A one-way business class upgrade for each segment listed costs $10 or less. Passengers are encouraged to purchase tickets early to obtain lowest fares.

The Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor extends 466 miles from Eugene, Ore. to Vancouver, BC. Corridor service is provided in partnership with the states of Washington and Oregon. The corridor is also served by the daily Los Angeles-Seattle Coast Starlight.

For current schedule, fare and reservation information, contact an authorized travel agency, call Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL or visit Amtrak's World Wide Web site at www.amtrak.com.

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