Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara is pleased to announce today the partial restoration of Amtrak's Adirondack service, extending north of Rensselaer to Saratoga Springs, following his dedicated efforts in communication with Amtrak's CEO, Stephen Gardner. Assemblyman Santabarbara's letter, dated June 27th, 2023, conveyed significant concerns about the impact of service disruption on local tourism, travelers, and businesses in the Capital Region. In light of this, he urged Amtrak to take immediate action to ensure the continuation of the Adirondack service, at least to Saratoga Springs and potentially to Plattsburgh, until a resolution is reached with Canadian National.

As a result of these efforts, Amtrak has announced that effective TODAY, Monday, July 24th, the Adirondack service will be restored to operate 37 miles beyond Albany-Rensselaer, reaching Saratoga Springs. This step marks a positive development for the region. However, it is important to note that service to Montreal will continue to remain suspended until mid-September.

Assemblyman Santabarbara recognizes the significance of this measure but emphasizes that it falls short of meeting the needs of upstate New York's residents and visitors. Therefore, he is urging further action from Amtrak to create a comprehensive plan that enables Amtrak trains to operate at least up to points as far north as Plattsburgh.

The partial restoration of the Adirondack Service comes after a recent dispute between Amtrak and the Canadian National Railroad (CN). CN imposed a restrictive 10 mph speed limit on their tracks in Canada whenever the air temperature exceeds 86 degrees Fahrenheit, leading to Amtrak abruptly canceling service north of Rensselaer.

"While I am pleased to see the restoration of service to Saratoga Springs, it is essential that we work towards a prompt resolution to restore service at least to points north as far as Plattsburgh to benefit upstate New York's residents and visitors," stated Assemblyman Santabarbara.

Assemblyman Santabarbara remains committed to advocating for the full restoration of Adirondack service in New York, ensuring that the needs of the communities in the region are adequately met. He continues to collaborate with Amtrak and other relevant stakeholders to find viable solutions that can address the concerns of local businesses, travelers, and the overall economy of the Capital Region.