» NYSDOT Appoints NEW High Speed Rail Program Manager

NYSDOT Acting Commissioner Stan Gee announced on June 23rd that Ms. Ann Purdue will be joining the State’s Department of Transportation, as the first High Speed Rail Program Manager, effective July 6, 2009,

Ms. Purdue has been serving as a Senior Assistant Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Virginia where she was responsible for the negotiation and development of transportation agreements for the construction, financing, operation and management of major infrastructure projects. She has a depth of experience in rail matters, having served as both in-house and outside counsel to CSX Transportation. She also brings a wealth of experience in the areas of railroad capital improvements, operating agreement, grants and regulation, as well as other private and public sector experience in finance, real estate and commercial transactions.

In the announcement Acting Commissioner Gee said “We are very fortunate to have someone with Ms. Purdue’s talents to lead our ongoing efforts to ensure that passenger rail and high-speed rail transportation will be a safe, energy efficient, competitively priced, economic generator for New York.”

Ms. Purdue and the High Speed Rail Program team will be part of the Department’s Policy and Planning Division’s Office of Integrated Modal Services under the leadership of Don Hannon.

ESPA is very pleased by this news and congratulates the Governor and Department on attracting such a highly-qualified individual to help the lead the impending higher-speed initiatives across the state.

» Upgraded Coaches NOW On Adirondack...

Amtrak has significantly upgraded passenger comfort on the New York City to Montreal Adirondack with the recent additional of two long-distance style Amfleet II coaches on each train.

These cars feature much larger windows (perfect for viewing the beautiful scenery along the train’s route); leg and foot rests at every seat and vastly larger space between seats than on regular Amtrak corridor coaches.

These cars are reserved exclusively for passengers crossing the international border while traveling to and from Montreal.

In addition the Adirondack features a full service cafe car, with plenty of tables for use by all for eating, playing games or simply meeting new friends.

The train also carries two Amfleet I coaches for passengers traveling shorter distances, with an additional third Amfleet I coach dedicated to Hudson Valley travelers.

ESPA applauds Amtrak’s efforts to improve the passenger experience on this train which is very popular with tourists and international visitors.

» Former D&H Station at Rouses Point, NY

Photo Courtesy of

Visit the Existing Railroad Stations in New York State Website
for information and photos of 100’s of present and former railroad stations across the state…

Congressman John McHugh has obtained $95,000 in federal funds to help jump-start efforts to restore the former Delaware and Hudson station in this North Country border village, served by Amtrak’s Adirondack.

Currently Amtrak stops in front of a dilapidated former US Immigration building at the site and officially their website states that the station stop offers only a platform but no shelter, though in reality a room in the this building is usually open for passengers use.

The restoration effort now underway at the former station is estimated to ultimately cost $600,000 and additional funding sources are being sought by the Village and local Chamber of Commerce. The station will eventually become a regional history museum and hopefully will once again accommodate Amtrak passengers when the work is completed.

Bruce B. Becker

» West of Albany Ridership Remains Strong...

June 16, 2009

Riderhsip on the Empire Corridor trains (including the Maple Leaf) that run west of Albany across Upstate NY remains very strong, with April 2009 passengers up 13.6% over April 2008.

Year-to-date for Amtrak’s FY09 budget year (October 2008 through April 2009), west of Albany ridership is up 4.6% over the prior year’s same period.

These gains are inspite of the overall very poor economic conditions and the significantly lower price of gasoline compared to last year. Vastly improved On-Time Performance for these trains is helping to draw riders to the rails.

Other New York State ridership stats are:

•The Ethan Allen Express, running between New York and Rutland, VT, was up 7.8% in April and 3.5% for the YTD period.

•The Adirondack, running between New York and Montreal, was up 8.0% in April, but has experienced an 6.0% drop for the YTD period.

•The Lake Shore Limited, running between New York/Boston and Chicago was up 1.6% in April and down a slight 0.1% for the YTD period.

•Trains running in the Hudson Valley between Albany and New York City, were down 4.6% in April and are down 9.4% overall for the seven month FY09 period. As these trains primarily attract weekday business travelers and government workers, they have been particularly hard-hit but the general business turndown in recent months.

» Empire Corridor OTP Surges...

June 16, 2009

In a very positive improvement, on-time performance for Empire Corridor trains has soared in recent months, positively impacted by both substantially lower freight volumes and seemingly much improved handling by the freight carriers.

OTP for all Empire Corridor trains reached 88.4% in May 2009. In February Empire Corridor OTP was 82.2%, up 12.0% from the prior year; in March it hit 90.1%, up 20.3% and for April, OTP was 89.0%, up 19.6% from April 2008. (Empire Corridor trains include all 200 series trains running in the Hudson Valley and west to Niagara Falls)

Other May 2009 New York State OTP results are:

•Lake Shore Limited service between New York/Boston and Chicago: 76.5% OTP

•Maple Leaf service between New York and Toronto: 71.0% OTP

•Adirondack service betrween New York and Montreal: 52.3% OTP

•Ethan Allen Express service between New York and Rutland, VT: 50.0% OTP

» April 2009 NYS Stats

April 2009 NYS Stats

» Joe Boardman Speaks At Cazenovia College April 2009

» Empire Corridor Facts And Details

This Page Is Now Being Created…

Check Back Soon!

May 30, 2009

» March 2009 NYS Stats

March_2009_NYS_Stats.pdf

» February 2009 NYS Stats

February 2009 NYS Stats

» January 2009 NYS Stats

January 2009 NYS Stats (PDF)

» October 2009 NYS Stats

October 2008 NYS Stats

» Upstate New York Congressional Caucus Formed – Supports High Speed Rail…

Rep. Slaughter Forms Congressional Caucus to Focus on Upstate New York - All New York Members Representing Districts in Upstate New York Have Joined

On January 8, 2009, Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY-28) announced the formation of a new bipartisan ‘Upstate New York Congressional Caucus’

As stated in the press release announcing the formation “The purpose of the caucus is to collectively advance issues that face upstate New York, such as reviving the local economy and bringing new well-paying jobs to the region. The caucus had its first meeting today with Congressman James Oberstar, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, to discuss possible infrastructure projects for the region.

In addition to focusing on important federal spending initiatives such as the upcoming Stimulus package and Appropriations bills.  The Upstate New York Caucus will meet regularly with appropriate federal officials, economic development experts, agricultural experts and others to discuss advancing upstate New York’s agenda: Reviving the economy and bring well-paying, stable, and quality jobs to upstate New York.  The caucus will coordinate its efforts to target the projects and priorities that will have the greatest impact on the overall regional economy.”

In the release Slaughter stated “I am proud that all of my colleagues who represent Upstate New York are joining me in forming the Upstate New York Caucus. The region we represent faces a particularly challenging road ahead. The current economic crisis has compounded problems that have been developing in each of our districts for years.  The purpose of this caucus will be to concentrate our abilities and work together, on both sides of the aisle, in the best interest of Upstate New York. The 111th Congress will offer important opportunities to make the case for investing in Upstate New York.  This is an essential opportunity, and one that we cannot approach passively or divided. It is critical that we work together to weather this financial storm. Upstate New York cannot afford to be left behind.”

The Upstate Congressional caucus has identified the development of a high-speed rail system across New York as a top priority when it comes to federal funding. The caucus began pushing for high-speed rail development funds during a meeting on Thursday, January 8, 2009 with fellow Congressman James Oberstar, D-Minnesota, who chairs the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Members of the Upstate New York Caucus include:

Rep. Louise Slaughter - NY-28
Rep. John McHugh - NY-23
Rep. John Hall - NY-19
Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand - NY-20
Rep. Paul Tonko - NY-21
Rep. Maurice Hinchey - NY-22
Rep. Michael Arcuri - NY-24
Rep. Daniel Maffei - NY-25
Rep. Christopher Lee - NY-26
Rep. Brian Higgins - NY-27
Rep. Eric Massa - NY-29

» Vermont Threatens Changes To Ethan Allen Express

Just as Governor Paterson announced his intent to cut support for the Adirondack, Vermont’s Agency of Transportation submitted an austerity budget to the state legislature’s Joint Fiscal Committee that proposed slashing the state’s $1.5 million Ethan Allen operating subsidy. The proposal included replacing the train north of Albany-Rensselaer, NY with a Thruway bus that would run all the way to Burlington, VT, with stops including Bennington and Rutland. The bus service would be a placeholder until funding can be secured to restore passenger train service between Rutland and Burlington on the Vermont Railway.

After holding a hearing on December 17, the Joint Fiscal Committee unanimously rejected the proposal to eliminate the Ethan Allen. The Committee felt this action needed to be put on hold and a decision made when the full Vermont legislature returns to session in January. Thus, the future of the Ethan Allen Express remains unsure. 

» Joseph Boardman Appointed Amtrak President

In a rapid series of surprise moves, Alex Kummant resigned as Amtrak’s President on Friday, November 14, 2008, with William Crosbie, Amtrak’s COO, immediately named by as Acting President.

Then on November 25, the Amtrak Board of Director’s announced that they had selected the current Federal Railroad Administrator, Joseph Boardman, as the new Amtrak President and CEO, for an interim period of one year.

Mr. Boardman is well known to New Yorkers, having served as Commissioner of Transportation for eight years during the Pataki administration. A life-long New Yorker, he was raised on a dairy farm north of Rome, which members of his family still operate.

In the statement announcing his appointment, Mr. Boardman stated “I am humbled that the board selected me to lead the company…Over the past decade — in one capacity or another — I have been an active participant in the affairs of Amtrak. I have come to know the company, the culture, a number of employees, and I am keenly aware of the challenges facing us right now. In my view, a national intercity, interconnected passenger rail service is critically important for the mobility and energy independence of the United States.”

ESPA congratulates Mr. Boardman on his appointment. We look forward to working with him on the unique challenges facing the Empire Corridor in the coming year.