Saratoga, N.Y. - Congresswoman Elise Stefanik led a letter with New York Republican Representatives Nicole Malliotakis, Nick Langworthy, Andrew Garbarino, Anthony D’Esposito, Nick LaLota, and Marc Molinaro to Amtrak President Roger Harris expressing deep concern over Amtrak’s planned reduction of service and lengthy delays beginning on November 11, 2024, due to the East River Tunnel rehabilitation project. The lawmakers urged Amtrak to commit to a 60-day delay in implementation of these changes in service during the busy holiday season and work towards a solution that avoids disrupting the lives of thousands of New Yorkers and tourists to our region.
The lawmakers wrote, “Our communities, families, and students rely on Amtrak service as a vital source of transportation. Reliable Amtrak service is also a crucial economic driver as our small businesses rely on the service to connect tourists and our Canadian neighbors to our region. With the reduction of service and lengthy delays projected to last 36 months, the proposed changes to Amtrak’s service in our state is unacceptable.”
The lawmakers continued, “We implore you to commit immediately to a 60-day delay of this decision to avoid the mass disruption of this essential service during the busy holiday season. The impact the East River Tunnel project has on passengers and millions of New Yorkers should be minimized as much as possible, and the proper time should be taken to thoroughly evaluate and vet all options in a transparent manner to mitigate the detrimental effects on passengers, including changing schedules to reduce the wait times at the Albany-Rensselaer station or considering lengthening the remaining trains to help mitigate the cuts to service.”
“The continued lack of communication and interaction with impacted communities and stakeholders by Amtrak remains astounding. After four years of disruptions on the Adirondack line, they are now about to impose unacceptable disruptions in the Albany-N.Y.C. service which is one of the nation's busiest Amtrak corridors," said North Country Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas. "We thank Congresswoman Stefanik and her House colleagues for their latest advocacy and hope Amtrak will hit the pause button and devise a better plan. We note that several State Assembly members are very engaged as well including Billy Jones, John McDonald and Pat Fahy. Come on, Amtrak. Let's find a better way forward!"
“On behalf of Hudson Valley and Upstate Amtrak riders the Empire State Passengers Association would like to thank Congresswoman Stefanik and other members of our House delegation for pushing back against these service reductions. Amtrak must add cars to the remaining trains and relocate the planned layover locations to mitigate the impact of these cuts,” said Empire State Passengers Association Executive Director Steve Strauss.
Read the full letter HERE.
