NY Governor Hochul Announces Major Amtrak & Metro-North Rail Service Expansions

Restoring Empire Service and Capping Fares

• 🚆 Amtrak's Empire service between New York City and Albany will have at least one daily roundtrip restored starting December 1st.
• 💰 To ensure affordability, coach tickets on the Empire service will be capped at $99, regardless of demand.
• ⚠️ This restoration addresses service cuts caused by long-overdue repairs to the East River tunnel, damaged during Hurricane Sandy, which had previously led to cancelled trips and increased costs for riders.

Extending Metro-North Hudson Line to Albany

• 🚀 For the first time, Metro-North's Hudson Line will extend service beyond Poughkeepsie all the way to Albany, beginning in Spring.
• 📍 This expansion will provide new options for travel between Grand Central Terminal and New York's capital region.
• 🤝 This initiative is part of a promise to provide more reliable alternatives to driving, especially in conjunction with congestion pricing.

Enhancing Hudson Line Commutes

• ⚡ Metro-North's Hudson Line has already launched a faster Super Express service, shaving up to 70 minutes off weekly commutes.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 These improvements aim to save commuters significant time each month, allowing for more quality time with family.
• 💡 The governor views infrastructure improvements as crucial for enhancing people's quality of life by improving connectivity.

Amtrak's Commitment and Key Metrics

• 📈 Amtrak acknowledges the disruption caused by the East River Tunnel repairs and expresses gratitude for customer patience.
• 📍 Both the Moynihan Train Hall in New York City and Albany Station are among Amtrak's busiest, highlighting the importance of this corridor.
• 🤝 Amtrak, MTA, and New York State DOT are partnering to ensure the success of the tunnel project and improve train service for millions of travelers annually.

Metro-North's Service Excellence

• ✅ Metro-North boasts high customer satisfaction (89%) and on-time performance (98%), setting a standard for commuter rail.
• 🌟 The extension of service to Albany is seen as a significant moment for the capital region and the entire Hudson Valley.
• 🧑‍🔧 The railroad's dedicated employees are ready to deliver the same level of speed, reliability, and convenience to Albany.