New York Gov. Kathy Hochul recently a letter to senior Amtrak executives, urging the full restoration of Empire Service.
Amtrak has cut two daily round trips between the Hudson Valley and New York City during the rehabilitation of the East River Tunnel and will make other schedule modifications. The reduction in service make it harder for New Yorkers to travel around the state, Hochul said.
In fiscal year 2024, the Empire Service carried more than 2 million passengers.
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez wrote Amtrak offering several mitigation strategies for maintaining ridership throughout the project. These included expanding to six cars the trains that operate in the New York City–Albany market, and operating some trains to Grand Central Terminal. Hochul asked Amtrak to consider all alternatives.
“While we are supportive of the project and its aim to address a state-of-good repair backlog on the Northeast Corridor, 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,” Hochul said.
The letter was sent to CEO Stephen Gardner and Chairman of the Board Anthony Coscia.