ALBANY, N.Y. (WNYT) – Tuesday, Governor Hochul announced Amtrak will be restoring all Empire Service trains between New York Penn Station and Albany-Rensselaer later this year.
Related: Amtrak cutting trips from Albany to NYC next month
It comes after Amtrak implemented service reductions tied to critical tunnel rehabilitation work in New York City.
According to Hochul, nearly three million New Yorkers rely on this service between the Capital Region and New York City each year.
“I have been clear that our commuters cannot suffer disproportionately for regional construction projects and am glad Amtrak has heeded my call and committed to running full service for the duration of the project and beyond.” Governor Hochul said.
A representative for Amtrak tells NewsChannel 13 that service will return to what it was before construction started.
“By taking advantage of schedule changes in place to support major infrastructure projects on the Northeast Corridor, Amtrak has identified the equipment necessary to fully restore the Empire Service schedule that was in place before the East River Tunnel rehabilitation project began, and is moving to fully restore service in early March.”
In a related announcement, Governor Hochul announced that planned Metro-North service between Albany and Grand Central station will not move forward.
“We’re grateful for the governor’s successful effort to restore Amtrak service to Albany. Metro-North stands ready to explore options for more—and more affordable—service up the Hudson River,” said Metro-North President Justin Vonashek.
Related: Amtrak, Metro-North to add trips between NYC and Albany
Representatives from the Governor’s Office did not provide a specific date when service would return, stating most likely the first or second week of March.