Aorta - Association of Oregon Rail and Transit Advocates

Call Directions Website Contact the organization

Aorta - Association of Oregon Rail and Transit Advocates AORTA is a non-profit member driven organization advocates for a sustainable transportation system for Oregon! DuShane and Arthur Poole.

Working for Balanced Transportation in Oregon Since 1976

On Saturday, May 22, 1976, twenty-six persons gathered at a restaurant in Salem, Oregon to establish an organization to promote rail service. Seven days later the Articles of Incorporation for the Oregon Association of Railway Passengers (OreARP) were signed and submitted to the State of Oregon. The original Directors were Ken McFarling, Donald M. In addition to the Directors, early active members included John Perrin, Bill Perrin, Bob Rynerson, Bill Parrish, Michael Ackley, Phronsie McFarling and Larry Griffith. One of OreARP’s first major undertakings was promoting and lobbying for rail service from Portland through Eastern Oregon, Boise, and beyond. Following an extensive letter and telephone campaign, OreARP conducted a “familiarization tour” in August 1976 from Portland to Ontario to meet with officials, the public, and promote what would soon become the Pioneer. In February of 1981 OreARP published a “Proposal for the Development of an Oregon State Surface Transportation System.” The publication included an inventory of the existing surface transportation system and a five-phase implementation plan for expanded rail and bus service. One of AORTA’s biggest undertakings in its 30-plus year history was the campaign to prevent developers from removing passenger shelters and most of the trackage at Portland’s Union Station. Arguing that intercity passenger rail would play an expanded role in the area’s future, AORTA resorted to legal action in an effort to protect facilities at Union Station. A compromise agreement in 1990 resulted in preservation of the two remaining shelters, five tracks, and space for a sixth. A few months later the State of Washington would invest in modern, European-style trainsets for passenger rail service through the Cascades corridor, proving the prophesy of a resurgence in rail passenger services at Union Station. In every legislative session AORTA has worked for funding to continue Amtrak Cascades and Thruway bus service in the state. Most notable was the 2003 campaign when AORTA’s grassroots campaign generated thousands of letters, calls and petitions to elected leaders in Salem, saving the service for another two years. AORTA continues to work for a dedicated source of funding to continue and expand services into the future. The successful legislative campaigns in 2005, 2007 and 2009 (Connect Oregon I, II and III) are important steps in that direction. AORTA continues to work for expansion of local and intercity passenger rail and bus service, freight rail, intermodal connectivity, and a healthy, pedestrian/people friendly environment, which will enable a strong economy for the long term

We hope you will share this new All Aboard Washington trifold brochure with your friends. It's available on the AAWA web...
07/19/2026

We hope you will share this new All Aboard Washington trifold brochure with your friends. It's available on the AAWA website athttps://www.aawa.us/site/assets/files/1001/aawa_tri_fold_brochure_v4.pdf

We’ll be reporting to the board today about the latest numbers for the Toppen*sh event, so if you can, could you please ...
07/11/2026

We’ll be reporting to the board today about the latest numbers for the Toppen*sh event, so if you can, could you please register? The link is https://aawa.us/events/aawa-toppen*sh-summer-event/2026-08-08/ Can't wait to see you there!

AAWA Toppen*sh Summer Event Saturday, 08 August 2026 11:00 am–3:00 pm Register Online Venue Information Northern Pacific Railway Museum 10 Asotin Ave. Toppen*sh Washington All Aboard Washington is planning an event to be held at the Northern Pacific Railway Museum at Toppen*sh, WA. Date: Saturday,...

We're getting there! Who will be the 20th reservation for the Northern Pacific Railway Museum in Toppen*sh WA on August ...
06/28/2026

We're getting there! Who will be the 20th reservation for the Northern Pacific Railway Museum in Toppen*sh WA on August 8 so that we can meet our minimum and make this exciting event happen? The deadline is Wednesday, so don't wait! Reserve now at

AAWA Toppen*sh Summer Event Saturday, 08 August 2026 11:00 am–3:00 pm Register Online Venue Information Northern Pacific Railway Museum Toppen*sh Washington All Aboard Washington is planning an event to be held at the Northern Pacific Railway Museum at Toppen*sh, WA. Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026...

05/17/2026
05/17/2026
Record April ridership this year!
05/13/2026

Record April ridership this year!

Latest ridership figures from ODOT.
04/02/2026

Latest ridership figures from ODOT.

🚨 URGENT ALERT 🚨 Lawmakers Poised to Decimate Rail in Oregon. Tell them a multimodal future isn’t up for negotiation.Rea...
03/03/2026

🚨 URGENT ALERT 🚨

Lawmakers Poised to Decimate Rail in Oregon. Tell them a multimodal future isn’t up for negotiation.

Read more here, and follow the link within to submit testimony:

Last-minute legislation introduced today in Salem would cut funding for critical rail improvements in Oregon—precluding long-planned and already environmentally-approved projects necessary to allow more service on Amtrak Cascades through the Willamette Valley.

Address

800 NW 6th Avenue, Ste 253
Portland, OR
97209

Opening Hours

11:30am - 1pm

Telephone

+15032417185

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Aorta - Association of Oregon Rail and Transit Advocates posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Aorta - Association of Oregon Rail and Transit Advocates:

Shortcuts

Share

Category