Local fans of utilitarian commuter rail travel have long hoped for extended Metro-North service beyond Poughkeepsie have finally gotten their wish…sort of. Last month, state officials and the presidents of both Metro-North and Amtrak announced expanded rail service between New York City and Albany to meet historic demand.
First, the news about Amtrak, which is as of press time less vague. Earlier this year, three weekday round trips between Albany and Penn Station were either canceled or consolidated to accommodate repairs to tunnels beneath the East River in New York City damaged in 2012 by Hurricane Sandy. One of those suspended round trips will be back by December 1, 2025: Train 235 departs Penn Station at 3:15 p.m., and Train 238 departs Albany-Rensselaer at 12:10 p.m.
To further entice travelers to use its Empire Service route, Amtrak coordinated with New York State to cap all coach seats at $99; non-peak trains are often less expensive. The pricing of Metro-North trains is generally less opaque, with tickets during peak hours more expensive than off-peak trips. The cost of a one-way or round trip Metro-North ticket between Albany and Grand Central has not been announced, though one-way peak tickets between New York City and Poughkeepsie are $27, and off-peak one-way tickets are $20.
The exact times of Metro-North’s once-daily round trip have yet to be announced, but the first leg will depart Grand Central Terminal in the mid-morning, making stops beyond Poughkeepsie in Rhinecliff and Hudson before arriving in Albany. The return trip will leave Albany in the afternoon, again making stops in Hudson and Rhinecliff before Poughkeepsie, arriving at Grand Central in the late afternoon or early evening. Though the service won’t debut until an unspecified date in the spring, test runs closed to passengers are likely to begin before the end of 2025.
It’s hard to know exactly who the inaugural Metro-North journey is for. Its appeal is lost on most commuters, particularly those working anything approaching a traditional 9-5 day. Day trippers are also unlikely to choose Metro-North service, and those using its reliably priced model to enjoy dinner and a show in Manhattan are still stuck heading to Penn Station and Amtrak’s confounding variable pricing if they want to come home that night.
The Empire Service carries more than two million riders each year, with a record high ridership in 2024.
“The Empire Service is vital to communities along the Hudson River,” Hochul said during a press conference on Monday, October 20. “This new plan will provide more travel options and lower fares for over two million annual riders, saving them time and putting money back in their pockets.”
Metro-North debuted its “Super-Express” service in October, with Hudson Line runs between NYC and Poughkeepsie taking less than 90 minutes each way. It is unclear whether the extension to Albany will be part of the limited Super-Express line.
Local politicians were largely effusive in their praise for the expansion, which is hoped to be popular enough to lead to more Metro-North service beyond Poughkeepsie.
“The train line is a lifeline for upstate New Yorkers and for the visitors we welcome to our region,” said State Senator Michelle Hinchey. “We’ve been fighting to increase public transportation in our communities, and the Governor’s announcement…is an exciting start to bolstering access. The state’s commitment to restoring Amtrak’s Hudson Line and expanding Metro-North service is a major win for Hudson Valley and Capital Region communities, and a true game-changer for our quality of life and economy.”
In the same press release, Town of Rhinebeck Supervisor Elizabeth Spinzia lauded the expanded service.
“The Hudson Valley thrives when our communities are well connected,” Spinzia said. “By improving train service and expanding Metro-North access north of Poughkeepsie, Governor Hochul is investing in a more sustainable, equitable transportation network that benefits families, workers and our region’s future.”
But in an October 24 letter to the governor, Republican State Senator Peter Oberacker said that while he too supports expanding rail options, he has several concerns about the newly-announced service, particularly due to the involvement of the MTA (Metropolitan Transit Authority), which is responsible for public transportation in the New York City Metropolitan area.
“Promising ideas too often turn into costly letdowns once the MTA gets involved, leaving taxpayers to clean up the mess,” said Oberacker. “I support better rail options done right: transparent budgeting, ironclad protections for taxpayers, and clear lines of accountability,” he said. “What I will not support is yet another Albany ‘trust us’ announcement that morphs into stealth tax hikes, shifting goalposts, or subsidies without oversight.”
Oberacker also shared concerns about the costs involved in expanded service, among the issues raised in the past when the idea of extending Metro-North service to Rhinecliff has been bandied about. Other concerns covered everything from light pollution affecting homeowners on the opposite side of the Hudson River; and in and around Rhinecliff, traffic and parking.
Spinzia shares some of those same concerns.
“I really have no comment,” she said in response to a question from Hudson Valley One. “Just unanswered questions regarding the service, its effect on Rhinecliff and parking, MTA taxes, possible charges to (Dutchess) County for MTA ‘station repairs’ and more.”
Adding to the confusion, at least as far as potential repairs and upgrades to local stations, is ownership and responsibility.
Though both Amtrak and Metro-North use the Poughkeepsie station, the MTA and Metro-North jointly own the station, the platforms and its parking facility and lot.
In Rhinecliff, the station is owned by Amtrak, the platform by freight railroad company CSX Transportation, and the parking by both Amtrak and CSX. In Hudson, the station is owned by Amtrak, the platform by CSX, and the parking by Amtrak and the City of Hudson.
Hudson Valley One could not reach anyone at Amtrak for comment. In an email, Austin Staton, director of media relations for CSX, said Amtrak and Metro-North, as passenger providers, might better address questions.
“I would recommend reaching out to them to address any questions concerning stations and proposed services.” he said, “We don’t have an additional comment.”
For now, at least, commuters will have to wait to see if stations further north than Poughkeepsie will be served by additional Metro-North trains.
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