October 24, 2025
Governor Hochul Announces Empire Corridor Service Improvements
PHOTO CREDIT: Governor's Office
At a press event held on Monday, October 20, at Amtrak’s Rensselaer Maintenance Facility, Governor Kathy Hochol announced several passenger-friendly improvement initiatives. The Governor was joined at the event by Amtrak President Roger Harris and Metro North President Justin Vonashek.
The improvements include:
- The reinstatement of one Amtrak Albany-Rensselaer to New York City daily round trip effective December 1st.
- Train #238 will depart Albany-Rensselaer at 12:10pm and arrive into New York Penn Station at 2:45pm
- Train #235 will depart New York Penn Station at 3:15pm and arrive into Albany-Rensselaer at 5:47pm
- The introduction of Metro North service between New York’s Grand Central Terminal and Albany-Rensselaer starting in the spring of 2026.
- The planned one daily round trip is expected to depart New York mid-morning and return from Albany-Rensselaer to Grand Central in the late afternoon.
- Limited stops are expected on the Metro North segment to Poughkeepsie and then stops will be made at Rhinecliff, Hudson & Albany-Rensselaer.
- Conventional Metro North locomotive-hauled commuter equipment will be used.
- Fares are expected to be fixed at Amtrak’s lowest ‘bucket’ rate (currently $38.00 between New York & Albany) and reservations are expected to be required. Other Metro North fare programs are not expected to be offered.
- The new train is expected to be staffed by Metro North crews, which will be qualified on the Amtrak-controlled Poughkeepsie to Albany line segment.
- Amtrak coach fares are being capped at a maximum of the $99.00 between New York & Albany-Rensselaer, regardless of the demand for seats. The current top demand-based coach fare is $108.00.
- Amtrak President Roger Harris also announced that through Lake Shore Limited service between Albany & Boston will resume effective the first week in December. Extensive repairs due a large land slip on the Amtrak-owned Post Road Branch will have completed by this time.
Numerous details remain to be determined regarding the extended Metro North service. The Governor clarified that there will be NO expansion of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority payroll tax outside of the current, legally defined, taxing area as a result of the new service.
ESPA applauds the return of the Amtrak round-trip and the cap on the often too-high fares passengers face. In addition, ESPA thanks the Governor for her leadership in making the new Metro North service possible.