Metro-North service between Grand Central Terminal and Albany-Rensselaer Station will launch in the spring, officials said.
Additionally, on Dec. 1, Amtrak will restore one Empire Service round-trip previously suspended due to the East River Tunnel repairs.
In May 2025, in coordination with NYSDOT and other partners, Amtrak began operating a reduced Empire Service schedule to accommodate planned work on the East River Tunnels, which Superstorm Sandy damaged. Amtrak service between Albany-Rensselaer and Penn Station was reduced with the suspension of three trips in each direction.
Following the suspension of three daily Amtrak Empire Service round-trips, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul tasked the Metropolitan Transportation Authority with developing potential solutions that leverage its existing Metro-North Railroad service to mitigate the impact on affected customers. The MTA is now advancing a plan with partners to run Metro-North service between Albany and Grand Central, starting with one daily round-trip in the Spring of 2026.
