Amtrak to restore Empire Service for holiday season

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that Amtrak will restore almost all suspended Empire Service trains starting on December 2. Trains were reduced in the Hudson Valley on November 11 for construction on the East River Tunnel in New York City that shut down two of the tunnel's tubes.

Amtrak will reinstate and even add some extra cars to popular lines servicing the region during the busy year-end season for regional travel. They'll also separate the Adirondack and Maple Leaf trains between New York City and Albany to reduce layovers.

The new schedule will last until March. It covers trains 235 and 238 and adds a fifth car to trains 233, 234, 244, and 245.

“These service restorations are crucial for riders and communities,” Hochul said, calling it a victory for the New Yorkers who depend on the service.

The $1.6 billion East River Tunnel rehabilitation project targets old infrastructure damaged by Superstorm Sandy back in 2012. The project should make travel along Amtrak's Northeast Corridor more reliable. All told, the repairs will last about three years.

Amtrak had cut two daily round trips and combined the Adirondack and Maple Leaf lines between New York City and Albany. Passengers traveling through the Capital Region from across the state faced hourslong wait times at Rensselaer Rail Station across the river from Albany.

Video below: First day of Amtrak Service cuts to NYC