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Local Amtrak service could improve if infrastructure bill passes
Apr 02, 2021 1:16 pm
Emilie Munson reports for the Times Union that if the infrastructure bill proposed by President Joe Biden March 31 passes, travelers on Amtrak locally would see improved service. The proposal would create new service between Albany and Boston along existing track by 2035, and improve service from Montreal to New York City, from Albany to Rutland, Vt., and from Albany to Toronto, via Niagara Falls. The proposal would spend $80 billion over eight years. “There are a number of real physical, capital intensive projects that are lined up ready to go and need the money,” said Sean Jeans-Gail, vice president of Policy and Government Affairs at the Rail Passengers Association. “We would be talking about increased reliability, increased average speeds, which when you are talking about a corridor as extensive as the Northeast Corridor that means increased capacity.” This week Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said no Republicans in his chamber would vote for the bill. Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, meanwhile, said she hopes to pass the bill by July. Read more about this story in the Times Union.