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 ent

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