PLATTSBURGH — Amtrak will restore its Empire service in time for passengers to use it during the holiday season.

“Ensuring reliable access to rail travel in this key corridor is essential for the riders who use the service and for the communities who benefit from the economic activity they generate,” said the New State Governor. York, Kathy Hochul.

“These service restorations are a huge victory for passengers who rely on Empire Service, and I thank Amtrak for working with us to ensure that we minimize the schedule disruptions caused by the Empire Tunnel Rehabilitation Project as much as possible. the East River.”

Hochul had sent a letter to Amtrak asking them to restore Empire service, which had been reduced due to construction in the southern part of the state.

Empire service was reduced by Amtrak in October from two daily round trips between Albany and New York. Other operational changes were made to the Maple Leaf and Adirondack lines while rehabilitation of the East River Tunnel in New York took place.

The reduction in service has affected passengers in the North Country.

Amtrak announced this week that it will improve the Empire service schedule beginning Monday, December 2. The new schedules will ensure that trains historically used by more than 98 percent of Empire service customers will be in service until major Amtrak tunnel work begins in the spring. This includes:

The Adirondack and Maple Leaf will once again operate as separate trains between New York and Albany and will reduce wait times in Albany for upstate customers.

Trains 235 and 238 will be restored.

Amtrak will add a fifth car to the following trains: 233, 234, 235, 238, 244 and 245.

These measures will be in effect until Sunday, March 2, 2025. Amtrak will continue to evaluate the service plan, including additional capacity, to see if there are new opportunities for improvement, restoration of service or modifications in depending on future development, the governor’s office said.

“As part of our close collaboration with Governor Hochul, NYSDOT and others, and in alignment with other important infrastructure projects in the region, starting Monday, December 2, our new schedules will ensure that trains used by more than 98% of customers will be in service until major work begins on the tunnel,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris.

“The tunnel work, a critical infrastructure improvement project and $1.6 billion investment for New York State, will improve the reliability of rail service both in New York State and across the entire northeast corridor.

HAPPY ROOM

North Country Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas welcomed news of Amtrak’s route changes, which will eliminate long layovers at Albany-Rensselaer for the Adirondack train between Montreal and New York earlier this month of December.

Plans also call for Amtrak to separately operate the Adirondack and Maple Leaf to Vermont through at least early March, eliminating anticipated delays at Albany/Rensselaer for coupling and decoupling, Douglas said.

“They listened to the fervent plea of ​​Congresswoman (Elise) Stefanik, Governor Hochul, Congressman (Billy) Jones and others and reversed course on what would have been another disruption to our Adirondack service,” he said. Douglas said.

“We thank these officials for their solidarity and active support and can now resume promoting ridership while continuing to encourage Amtrak to end the disruptions to our service once and for all.”

SATISFIED JONES

Congressman Jones was also happy that Amtrak service was back to normal.

“This is great news for the North Country after experiencing numerous delays and cancellations since 2020 and will ensure residents, students and their families can continue to use Amtrak for business and leisure travel and will help tourists to travel to the country. North Country as well to experience many of the things we have to offer,” Jones said.

“I met with Amtrak officials earlier this month to urge them to reconsider this decision and I want to thank the governor, my colleagues and the North Country Chamber of Commerce who joined me in defending all New Yorkers who rely on Amtrak for their lives. transportation needs. »