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March 9, 2023

Does Salt Lake Want A Train To Boise?

City Cast Boise

Does Salt Lake Want A Train To Boise?

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Boise is stoked about the potential of Amtrak’s Pioneer Route coming back. The old train ran until 1997 from Salt Lake to Boise, and on to Portland and Seattle. With Boise’s Mayor McLean and city government flirting with Salt Lake partners to bring the train back — and federal Amtrak funding up for grabs — could passenger trains chug out of the Boise Depot once again? 


Emma and Frankie are talking to pal Ali Vallarta, host of the City Cast Salt Lake podcast to find out if the feeling is mutual. 


What do you think about the Pioneer Route maybe returning? Would you use it to get to Salt Lake? Let us know by sending us a voicemail or text: 208-546-9485.


Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning.


Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE.

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Thank you Boise, we’ve loved the conversation we’ve been having with you for the past three years. City Cast Boise and Hey Boise have suspended operations. Our last newsletter and podcast episode was Oct. 24, 2025.

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