Washington State issues timely warning to travellers between Vancouver and U.S. | Daily Hive

Amtrak Cascades' new Siemens Venture/Airo train fleet, September 2026. (Washington State Department of Transportation)

B.C.’s decision to officially move to permanent daylight time and end the biannual clock changes will affect some travellers between the province and Washington State, with the latter issuing a public advisory to be mindful when crossing the border.

On Nov. 1, Washington and other States will move back an hour, but B.C. will not, meaning the two regions will be an hour apart. While many States have legislation in place to join B.C., they are awaiting official approval.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) posted the reminder for Amtrak Cascades passengers to note the daylight saving time differences when commuting to and from Canada.

“Households in Washington and Oregon are getting ready to ‘fall back’ on Sunday, Nov. 1, as they return to Pacific Standard Time,” said (WSDOT). “However, in a decision made last year, those in British Columbia, Canada, will not be turning their clocks back.”

“As a result of the time difference, Amtrak Cascades passengers travelling between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia, will be issued tickets reflecting either a three-hour trip southbound or a five-hour trip northbound. In reality, both trips will continue to have a four-hour travel time.”

Amtrak Cascades’ new Siemens Venture/Airo train fleet, September 2026. (Washington State Department of Transportation)

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For the first time in decades, B.C. will not be taking part in the annual fall back time change, having established the new time zone code, PCT.

“In British Columbia, this permanent, year-round daylight saving time will simply be referred to as Pacific Time,” explained the WSDOT. “Every future year, when clocks ‘spring forward’ an hour in the United States, British Columbia and the states of Washington and Oregon will return to the same time.

“Similar to what travellers experience when crossing time zones in the United States, tickets will reflect departure time at the city that passengers are leaving and arrival times for their destination city. Those coming and going from Vancouver, British Columbia, will be reminded through onboard announcements of the time change as they cross the border.”

David Buzzard/Shutterstock

Some Bellinghamsters recently shared their thoughts about B.C.’s shift to PCT.

“I drive a truck around Metro Vancouver every day, come Nov. 1 gonna have to start coming in an hour early for 6 months. Not looking forward to it,” someone said.

Others chimed in about how it would impact their commute.

One person who visits Vancouver fairly often said, “That really sucks. I go up to Van every week to check in on my parents. I will leave at 10 am and get there at noon but actual driving time is still 1 hour. Oy!”

B.C. isn’t completely alone in not falling back. Some B.C. regions, like Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, are already on Mountain Standard Time year-round. These regions will align with the change for the rest of the province.

Both Alberta and Manitoba will stick to permanent daylight saving time as well.

Alberta will have a different time zone code, ABT. You can read more about the Alberta changes on Daily Hive. Parts of Alberta will see a 10 a.m. sunrise in the winter.