Washington, D.C. – Congressman Mike Lawler has criticized Amtrak’s decision to reduce railway service in New York, calling the planned cuts drastic and unnecessary. As of today, Amtrak is canceling 25% of its daily Empire Service trains between Penn Station and Albany and reducing 10% of peak Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) services into Penn Station. These changes are part of a $1.6 billion federally funded project aimed at addressing damage from Hurricane Sandy and addressing deterioration in the East River tunnels.
Amtrak justifies the service cuts by stating the need for full tunnel closures to complete the repairs. However, Congressman Lawler claims that alternatives exist which could maintain service during the repair period, thereby avoiding inconvenience to travelers.
“This plan is a total disaster for New York travelers, and it’s completely avoidable,” stated Lawler. He argued that Amtrak could adopt methods allowing for work at night and on weekends, thus preserving peak time services that support working families, students, businesses, and tourists.
Lawler called upon the Trump Administration and Secretary Duffy to intervene and prevent Amtrak from implementing its planned service reductions. “We cannot allow Amtrak to sideline tens of thousands of travelers for years to come when there is a clear alternative,” he wrote.
Representing New York’s 17th Congressional District, Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress. His district includes areas north of New York City, encompassing Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties.
The full details of Congressman Lawler’s letter are available for review.
