New Yorkers were just months away from getting a much cheaper, scenic alternative to Amtrak for trips to the state capital. But this week, the dream of a $40 Metro-North ride to Albany was officially derailed.
Amtrak has confirmed it will no longer allow Metro-North to extend service to Albany, canceling a proposed route that would have connected Grand Central Terminal to the state capital for the first time in nearly 60 years.
Back in October 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul announced a historic plan that would have launched a once-daily Metro-North round trip between NYC and Albany starting in spring 2026. The route was pitched as a more affordable alternative to Amtrak, with fixed fares expected to hover around $40 one way…