Greetings from Portland, Oregon. Below is an update on the area's newest travel-related developments. We hope you will find this information useful. If you prefer not to receive future media updates on Portland, you may unsubscribe here.

• Rail Travel: Amtrak Cascades Adds Service to Vancouver, B.C.
• Green Travel: Add a Little Zip to Your Next Outdoor Adventure
• Biking: Cash for Clunkers, Portland-style

The long-awaited Amtrak Cascades train service between Portland, Ore., and Vancouver, B.C., began operation on Aug. 19. Formerly, those traveling by train from Portland to Vancouver had two choices: 1) disembark in Seattle and continue to Canada by Amtrak motorcoach or 2) overnight in Seattle and catch a Vancouver-bound train the following day. The former involved missing out on the stunning scenery lining the train’s northern route; the latter added both significant expense and time to the journey.

Northbound Portland-to-Vancouver Cascades trains depart Portland’s historic Union Station daily at 2:50 p.m., arriving in Vancouver at approximately 10:45 p.m. Southbound trains depart Vancouver at 6:40 a.m., arriving in Portland at 2:45 p.m.

The scenic Amtrak Cascades route links several major Pacific Northwest cities, including Eugene and Portland, Ore.; Tacoma and Seattle, Wash.; and Vancouver, B.C. For more information on this group of cities, collectively known as the Cultural Cascades, visit www.culturalcascades.com. Amtrak Cascades service and schedule information can be found at www.amtrakcascades.com.

Media Contact
Vernae Graham, Amtrak
510.238.4360
grahamv@amtrak.com

Zipcar, the world’s largest car-sharing service, is making it easier than ever to experience the natural beauty surrounding Portland, Ore. Forty Portland-based Zipcars are now outfitted with either Northwest Forest or Oregon State Park access passes (10 vehicles have both). Anyone with a Zipcar account (easy to set up online) can reserve the pass-equipped cars on a first-come, first-served basis. Zipcar has placed the passes in all Honda Elements, Subaru Outbacks and Honda CRVs, as well as in some Subaru Imprezas. To view which Zipcars have passes, click on the vehicle’s online description and check out its amenities, which also include iPod adapters and bike racks.

The Northwest Forest Passes are valid in Washington and Oregon National Forests at day-use sites where fees are collected. Oregon State Park Passes are good at hundreds of day-use park properties in the Oregon State Park system.  Among the areas covered by the passes are the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Mount Hood National Forest, Silver Falls State Park and Siuslaw National Forest on the Oregon coast.

For more information on Zipcar membership and services, visit www.zipcar.com.

Media Contacts
Nancy Scott Lyon, Zipcar
617.336.4332
nancy@zipcar.com

Jason Powell, CooperKatz
917.595.3033
jpowell@cooperkatz.com

Putting a Portland-esque spin on the federal government’s recent Cash for Clunkers program, Joe Bike, a Southeast Portland bicycle shop, is offering a trade-in program for bikes. Customers who bring in their old bikes can receive up to $200 off the cost of a spiffy new set of wheels. And Zipcar (see item above) has sweetened the deal with cash discounts on the cost to become a member of its car-sharing service. Joe Bike donates all trade-in bikes, which must be in working order or repairable, to charity.

Joe Bike specializes in family bikes and utility bicycles, many of which come equipped with racks and cargo areas that make the bikes perfect for errands and shopping trips. It’s all part of Portland’s bike culture. This is, after all, the U.S. city that boasts the highest number of bicycle commuters per capita. And it’s a city that has made it easy for visitors to sample Portland’s cycling oeuvre. Several hotels, including the Jupiter, the Ace and the Hotel Monaco make bikes available to guests; lots of bike shops offer rentals; tour companies, such as Pedal Bike Tours, cater to visitors; and all of Portland’s buses and MAX light rail trains are equipped to accommodate bikes.

For more information on Joe Bikes’ Cash for Clunkers program, visit www.joe-bike.com. For more information on Portland’s biking culture, go to www.bikeportland.org.

Media Contact
Marcus Hibdon, Travel Portland
503.275.9769
marcus@travelportland.com