(The following article by Lee Juillerat was published by the Klamath Falls Herald and News on June 5.)
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. — Amtrak passengers are finding a different way to travel between Klamath Falls and Eugene this month – by bus.
Northbound Pacific Starlight passenger trains operated by Amtrak are stopping in Klamath Falls because the Union Pacific, which owns the rail line, is doing track repairs in tunnels between Chemult and Eugene.
Northbound passengers are deboarding in Klamath Falls. Buses are taking train riders on to Eugene, with a stop in Chemult. A truck is carting luggage, which has to be unloaded from the train, driven to Eugene and reloaded onto the Amtrak train making loop routes between Eugene and Seattle.
Southbound passengers from Seattle, Portland and other stops are deboarding Amtrak trains in Eugene and being driven on motor coaches to Klamath Falls.
The northbound Amtrak train is turned around in Klamath Falls for the return trip to regular California train stops, including Dunsmuir, Sacramento, Oakland, Salinas, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and San Diego.
This morning, eight motor coaches waited for the arrival of the northbound Amtrak, which was about two hours behind schedule. While some baggage was loaded onto a waiting truck, passengers toting backpacks, wheeling suitcases and carrying items were moving between the train and buses for the drive to Eugene.
One Eugene-bound passenger was met by a friend, who retrieved her at the Klamath Falls depot and planned to make a leisurely drive over the Willamette Pass.
“It’s no big deal. Just as long as the train gets here,” the waiting man said of the transfer, before scrambling to find his friend as the train arrived.
Amtrak spokeswoman Sarah Swain said the busing began Sunday and is scheduled to continue through Tuesday. Regular train service will resume Wednesday until June 16, when passengers will again be transported between Klamath Falls and Eugene until June 25.
Swain said the schedule is subject to change. Earlier this year, southbound service was temporarily rerouted between Klamath Falls and Sacramento, but for fewer days than expected.
Larger than usual crews have been on duty in Klamath Falls to assist passengers making transfers between the train and bus. Station officials indicated the temporary busing has created only minor adjustments.