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Amtrak has announced the extension of its current Empire Service schedule between Albany and New York City through Sunday, April 27. This extension comes as part of efforts to accommodate upcoming rehabilitation work on the East River Tunnel, which was damaged by Superstorm Sandy in 2012. The updated schedule will offer 10 daily round trips through the Hudson Valley between the Capital Region and New York City.
Starting Monday, April 28, Amtrak will implement a new spring schedule to facilitate the tunnel project. This will include the suspension of certain trains, such as train No. 238 from Albany and train No. 235 from New York City, and the addition of a fifth train car to 28 weekly trains to increase seating capacity. Amtrak President Roger Harris emphasized the importance of these upgrades, stating, "These significant upgrades will modernize critical infrastructure and ensure long-term improvements to the Empire Service and other Amtrak and commuter services for a better customer experience and more reliable trip" (Amtrak Media).
The tunnel rehabilitation project is a $1.6 billion investment that aims to improve train service reliability within New York State and along the Northeast Corridor. Amtrak is working closely with state and commuter partners to evaluate and potentially modify service plans as construction progresses. The current schedule, initially set in December 2024, was extended at the request of New York Governor Kathy Hochul and state congressional members (Trains.com).
Travelers can view the updated schedule and book trips on Amtrak's website. The Empire Service remains a popular choice for both business and leisure travel, offering routes that extend beyond New York City to destinations like Buffalo and Niagara Falls (Amtrak).