Amtrak announced a new preclearance station for American travelers to the U.S. from Vancouver, British Columbia.
The new experience at the Pacific Central Station will create a streamlined experience for Amtrak customers entering the United States, officials said. While preclearance has long been available at select airports, Pacific Center Station will be the first rail station in North America to offer it; a milestone that represents a new chapter for rail travel, Amtrak said.
“This is a historic moment for passenger rail in North America,” Amtrak president Roger Harris said. “Launching the continent’s first rail preclearance facility reflects what’s possible when strong partners come together with a shared focus on the customer experience. This improvement makes cross-border travel faster, easier, and more seamless from the moment passengers arrive at the station.”
In partnership with the Washington State Department of Transportation, VIA Rail, and numerous agencies in both the U.S. and Canada, including the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Canada Border Services Agency, and others, the preclearance process will consolidate inspection, security, and customs procedures into a single step prior to departure. Trains leaving Vancouver will now proceed directly into the United States without stopping for en route border screening, enhancing overall trip quality and operational efficiency, officials said.
“We are pleased to see this great example of cross-border cooperation, and just in time for the World Cup,” U.S. Consul General in Vancouver Shawn Crowley said. “The agreement for full preclearance at the Vancouver station will assist with quicker and more secure travel. We hope additional improvements at the Pacific Central Station will accommodate Amtrak’s new trains and further improve travel in the Pacific Northwest.”