A Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) plan would restore rail service on the Empire Service Corridor between Albany and New York City.
Service was cancelled or consolidated in May to accommodate Amtrak’s repairs to the East River Tunnels. Service between Albany-Rensselaer and Penn Station was reduced to three daily round-trips trips. Gov. Kathy Hochul challenged the MTA and Metro-North Railroad to develop a plan to run Hudson Line service beyond Poughkeepsie to connect Grand Central Terminal with Albany-Rensselaer Station.
“The Empire Service is vital to communities along the Hudson River,” Hochul said. “While Amtrak’s repairs to the East River Tunnels are necessary, riders from Albany to New York City have had to endure sold out trains and higher fares for the past five months. I’ve been clear from the moment this plan was proposed that New Yorkers deserve better. This new plan will provide more travel options and lower fares for over two million annual riders, saving them time and putting money back in their pockets.”…