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Get Involved & Take Action In Support Of Passenger Rail

• ESPA's Current Priorities for Improving Passenger Rail Service

• Recent New York State Passenger Rail Accomplishments

• Contact Your Elected Represenatives

• Write Letters To The Editor

Empire Corridor History

• Learn about how today's Amtrak "Empire Corridor" service came about, with in 1967 the New York Central Railroad pioneering the first modern intercity passenger rail corridor service, the New York City to Buffalo "Empire Service"

Frequently Asked Questions

• Questions about passenger rail? What is High Speed Rail? How fast do Empire Corridor trains go? Who owns the tracks? What is PRIIA Section 209? What makes up railroad track? What is a Interlocking? We got ansewers!

Proposals for Service Improvements and Expansions

• Ideas big and small on who to improve and expand our state's intercity passenger rail service, including: full cafe food service on all trains; onboard enroute cleaning, baggage cars, travel packages, and more!

Climate Change and Passenger Rail

• How passenger rail in New York State can meet the goals of the the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act for a net-zero substainable transportation system.

Planning and Management of the Empire Corridor

• How the planning and management of intercity passenger rail in New York State can be improved by adopting the best practices of other states like Virginia, while avoiding the mistakes of others, including the California High Speed Rail Authority.

New York State Travel Information

• New York State Amtrak Routes

• New York State Amtrak Stations

• Amtrak Discounts

• New York By Rail Magazine

• New York State Local & Regional Tourism Resources

ESPA Creates Part-Time Executive Director Position

This past fall ESPA’s Officers approved a proposal to establish a part-time Executive Director post for the organization and have retained the services of retired public transportation professional and long-time ESPA member, Steve Strauss, to fill that role. In creating the Executive Director post ESPA President Gary Prophet said, “This is another step that our organization has taken in 2020 along with the re-launched website, on-line dues and donation portal and updated newsletter, to build ESPA’s capabilities and advance rail advocacy in the State.”

Strauss has a 35+ year career in public transportation and intercity passenger rail work. In 2019 he moved back to NYC after retiring from his position as Deputy Associate Director of the Transit Delivery Division of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT). In this position he managed the District’s annual capital and operating contributions to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority, oversaw contracts for the operation of the DC Circulator bus system and was responsible for the District’s School Transit subsidy program.

During his time at DDOT Steve managed the expansion of the DC Circulator transit system from five routes and 49 buses to six routes and 63 buses with procurement assistance from WMATA. Steve also served as the District’s primary specialist on High Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) activities. Most of DDOT’s Intercity Passenger Rail focus centered on maintaining Union Station as a high quality intermodal transportation center and adding trans-Potomac rail capacity for Amtrak and VRE passenger trains. In 2009 Steve wrote two successful HSIPR grant applications for a total of $7.0 million, more than the entire state of Texas received from this program.

Earlier in his career Steve worked for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for ten years in a variety of increasingly more responsible positions in the budget and planning departments. He was also an Assistant Director of Government and Community Relations at New York City Transit, an operating subsidiary of the MTA, for nine years. In 2002 Steve ran for an open seat in the New York State Assembly and from 2006 to 2008 Steve was the transportation policy advisor to New York City Comptroller William Thompson.

Lakeshore Rail Alliance

ESPA is very pleased to be a founding organizational member of the new Lakeshore Rail Alliance, which is advocating for increased & improved train service along the current Lake Shore Limited route between New York City & Chicago. All Aboard Erie (PA) is the host organization for this new collaboration of seven passenger rail advocacy groups along the route. At a Press Event held on July 27th, 2021 in Erie, PA, the Alliance was formally announced, along with an introduction of it's new Erie-based Executive Director Michael Fuhrman. ESPA's Bruce Becker and Roy Davis represented the Association at the event.

Lakeshore Rail Alliance Press Release

Grand Opening of Moynihan Train Hall in New York City

With a grand opening on Dec 31st, 2020 led by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, the 255,000-square-foot Moynihan Train Hall was opened for passengers in the westward expansion of New York City's Pennsylvania Station into the 100-year-old James A. Farley Building. The East End Gateway to Penn Station at 33rd Street and 7th Avenue also opened on New Year's Eve. The new Moynihan Train Hall is named for former U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, who in the 1990s proposed and advocated for the surplus space in the historic Farley Post Office to expand the existing railroad station underneath Madison Square Garden.

For More... Governor Cuomo Announces Grand Opening of Moynihan Train Hall in New York City

NEW BUFFALO EXCHANGE STATION IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN

Build on the historic site of the previous Exchange Street stations, the new station was constructed on time and on budget, being twice the size of the city's previous rail station. Providing travelers with a convenient and intermodal gateway to Buffalo's bustling downtown, the new station has easy connections to local bus and light rail service, with several hotels and attractions a short walk away. A tremendous improvement over the previous 1952-era facility, the rebuild and expanded station is a great addition to the rapidly-redeveloping and increasingly vibrant downtown Buffalo.

Link to Gov. Cuomo's Press Release on Completion of New Intermodal Transportation Hub

Link to Photo Album by Bruce Becker of the New Buffalo Exchange Street Station

FYI...The Winter 2021 ESPA Express Newsletter Is Now Available For Viewing, Printing & Downloading!

Download & Print The Full Winter 2021 Newsletter

The Spring 2021 Edition Is Scheduled To Be Published In April 2021.

New York State Service - Effective October 14

Subject to Change Without Notice - Contact Amtrak to Verify All Service

Printable Version

New York By Rail

For the latest on leisure travel by Amtrak in New York State and Vermont! Award winning magazine and website!