As the East River Tunnel enters a substantial rehabilitation phase, Governor Kathy Hochul is pressing Amtrak to reconsider its plan to trim down the Empire Service line’s schedule, a major artery for state travelers. The scheduling revisions are poised to eliminate three daily round trips from New York Penn Station to Albany-Rensselaer Station starting this week. Echoing the concerns of frequent rail commuters, Hochul has requested the service be restored, emphasizing the importance of keeping New York’s public connected throughout the duration of the construction project. “Empire Service trains are receiving a disproportionate share of impacts to schedules and it is critical that you maximally restore service and protect New York’s riding public while the project progresses,” she stated in a letter to Amtrak, as reported by ABC7NY.