SEATTLE — A recent request made by Amtrak seeking funding from Congress could have a major impact on fans visiting Seattle and other cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In its fiscal year 2025 grant and legislative request, Amtrak asked for $130 million to improve service in the Pacific Northwest, and to reduce wait times for cross-border passengers traveling between the U.S. and Canada.
Vancouver's BC Place, like Seattle's Lumen field, will host World Cup matches.
"I'll try to catch games [in Seattle] and at BC Place," said Sudip Dengal, who lives in Vancouver but recently traveled to Seattle via Amtrak.
The longtime soccer fan said he expects to be traveling between the two cities again during the World Cup.
"For the border process, I think they could be [faster]. I had to wait for a while. I don't want to do that If I [ride] often," Dengal said.
That's an area that Amtrak hopes to improve upon, according to its congressional request.
"The Cross-Border Service Improvements initiative would improve current cross-border routes, and help facilitate new cross-border service, by funding needed capital investments in customs and immigration inspection facilities and railroad infrastructure near the U.S.-Canada border," Amtrak wrote in its presentation.
Amtrak is asking for $30 million in 2025 funding to address the border crossing process, additional funding will be sought in the future, the request suggests.
"By eliminating lengthy inspections at border crossings that often produce delays, these investments would result in faster and more reliable cross-border trips; increase ridership and revenues; and facilitate expanded cross-border service, in line with an agreement between the U.S. and Canadian governments."
In addition to cross-border improvements, Amtrak is seeking $100 million next year to make station upgrades, to improve maintenance facilities and to install double-tracking in the Lakewood area.
All of those changes would result in less delays, according to Amtrak.