From the President and CEO of Amtrak
W
Dear Amtrak Traveler , riting this column inviting you to explore my home state has always been enjoyable for me , and this year it takes on added meaning since I will retire as the head of America ’ s Railroad ® in a few months . Whether you want to get lost in nature , step back in time in historic small towns or experience a variety of cultural offerings from Broadway hits to arts festivals , there ’ s truly something for every interest and budget in the Empire State .
Amtrak delivers you to the heart of the action , operating approximately 140 daily trains across New York . Many of these run on the busy Northeast Corridor , but the state-supported Empire Service also offers three daily round-trips east of Niagara Falls , four east of Buffalo , six east of Schenectady , and 12 south of Albany to New York City . Altogether , Empire Service trains carried nearly 1.6 million customers in Fiscal Year 2015 . In addition , the Adirondack and Ethan Allen Express run along the scenic Hudson River into Canada and Vermont , respectively .
Since Amtrak began operations 45 years ago , it has been engaged in a strong partnership with the State of New York . We are working closely to enhance the rail network not only for the average 12 million passengers who have passed through New York stations in each of the past few years , but also for the next generation that will reap the continuing benefits of today ’ s investments . Joint projects include building and rehabilitating passenger stations , tracks , signal systems and other infrastructure .
Stations are a prime opportunity to make positive first and last impressions , and so Amtrak , New York State and communities are working to upgrade facilities . A modern intermodal center will open this spring in Niagara Falls . Next door , a historic customs house has been rehabilitated for use as a museum . Construction is underway on a new facility in Rochester that will feature retail space , an underground concourse for accessing trains and improved accessibility for travelers . Work also continues at the Albany- Rensselaer station to install a fourth track . It will increase station capacity and improve operating flexibility , thereby leading to better on-time performance . And construction bids were requested earlier this year for a new Schenectady intermodal facility .
One of the most complex projects is planned for New York Penn Station , where more than 600,000 Amtrak and commuter rail passenger trips take place every day . This past January , I joined Governor Cuomo to announce a simultaneous procurement for the redevelopment of Penn Station and the adjacent James A . Farley Post Office
Building . Amtrak supports the governor ’ s vision for a series of renovations to Penn Station that will decrease congestion , add more space and improve retail offerings . Concurrently , the Farley Building will be transformed to include Moynihan
Train Hall , which will become the new primary Amtrak boarding location , as well as dynamic mixed-use development .
A modernized and expanded Penn Station is just one component of the larger Gateway Program , a proposed set of strategic rail infrastructure improvements designed to improve current services and increase track , tunnel , bridge and station capacity that will allow the doubling of passenger trains running under the Hudson River .
The program includes rebuilding and replacing the damaged components of the existing , century-old Hudson River tunnel , which was inundated with water during Super Storm Sandy . In order to do so while preserving existing service , a new two-track tunnel will also be constructed . In late 2015 , the states of New York and New Jersey , the U . S . Department of Transportation and Amtrak agreed to form the Gateway Development Corporation to implement and fund the construction of the new Hudson River tunnel .
Amtrak is also investing in new equipment for greater reliability and passenger comfort . Skilled workers in Elmira , N . Y ., are assembling 130 single-level rail cars that will primarily be used on eastern national network trains . Many of the new baggage cars began to enter service in 2015 , replacing equipment that was more than 50 years old . This year Amtrak will also announce a contract to acquire new technologically advanced high-speed trainsets for the next generation of Acela Express service . In addition to being faster and lighter , each trainset will have 40 percent more seats than those currently in use . There will also be 40 percent more trainsets , allowing for increased departures during peak hours .
As evidenced by these many projects , the future of passenger rail in New York State looks as bright as the shining lights of Times Square . This guide is a great way to find inspiration and helpful information for your travels . I wish you a safe and pleasant journey and hope to see you on board !
Sincerely ,
Joseph H . Boardman President and CEO
Amtrak . com New York By Rail | 3