Albany, NY (WRGB) — Governor Hochul, alongside Metro-North Railroad President Justin Vonashek and Amtrak President Roger Harris, announced a series of enhancements to the Empire Service Corridor rail line between Albany and New York City. The improvements, supported by the New York State Department of Transportation, aim to address the suspension of three daily Amtrak Empire Service round-trips due to East River Tunnel repairs.
In a release, Governor Hochul tasked the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) with developing solutions to mitigate the impact on commuters. As a result, Metro-North service between Albany and Grand Central Terminal will commence in spring 2026, starting with one daily round-trip. Additionally, Amtrak will restore one daily round-trip between New York City and Albany on December 1.
Governor Hochul said,
Restoring Amtrak service and debuting Metro-North service to Albany is a huge win for riders. The Empire Service is vital to communities along the Hudson River. 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.
Metro-North President Justin Vonashek emphasized the importance of extending service to Albany, stating,
Extending Metro-North’s safe, reliable service to Albany closes a critical gap in regional transit by restoring capacity and connecting New York City and Hudson Valley communities with the high-quality service our customers expect.
Amtrak President Roger Harris expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts, saying,
New York State residents and visitors’ passion and patience are paying off, as additional, affordable, and improved train service between New York City and Albany is on its way. Thanks to Governor Hochul for her leadership and commitment to New York State, and NYSDOT and MTA for their partnership in helping meet the high demand of train service we have throughout the state.
The planned Metro-North service will fill gaps left by the suspended Amtrak service, with trains departing mid-morning from Grand Central and returning from Albany in the afternoon. This marks the first time Metro-North will operate between New York City and New York’s Capital Region since the New York Central Railroad ceased service in 1967.
According to the release, Amtrak will also implement a price cap on Empire Service tickets, reducing costs for riders. Coach seats will be capped at $99, a nearly 10% reduction from previous prices. Additionally, Amtrak will restore direct rail service between Albany-Rensselaer and Boston on the Lake Shore Limited on Dec. 1, replacing the temporary bus service currently in place.
The release has faced criticism from County Executive Steven McLaughlin, in a social media post, he says: