Mass concern for disrupted Amtrak service to Montreal

PLATTSBURGH | Amtrak has announced the suspension of the daily Adirondack passenger service between New York and Montreal, terminating the train at Albany-Rensselaer. The action follows the reported imposition of a 10 MPH speed limit by CN Rail on its trackage north of the border anytime the external temperature exceeds 86 degrees Fahrenheit. "It's almost as if there's a conspiracy to interfere with the long-awaited renewal of cross-border travel now that we have things flowing again," said Garry Douglas, President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce. "Northern border staffing transfers by the feds to the southern border are reducing lane openings just as we are seeing Canadian visitation at upwards of 90 percent of pre-pandemic levels. Then when they get here, they find a Beekmantown rest area with a closed welcome center and broken-down restrooms. And now, shortly after Amtrak resumes Montreal rail service and we are rebuilding ridership, the plug is pulled again." Douglas reports that word of the problem came late last week with Sen. Charles Schumer and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik actively interacting with Amtrak, CN Rail and the Canadian Embassy in Washington. "We need a way forward and are in active communication," said Douglas. "One would have thought that three years of shutdown provided ample time to address any needs and concerns. We hope a resolution can be worked out that avoids a lengthy suspension." Concerned riders from the North Country and beyond quickly took to social media with outrage and confusion by the decision that came just three months after the line's long-awaited pandemic return in early April. Assemblyman Billy Jones said, "I am disappointed by Amtrak's decision to suspend the Adirondack rail line. We were just getting back to normalcy at our borders and now it feels like we are moving backwards. This rail line is not just important for cross-border traffic but for locals as well, especially the many college students who utilize their services throughout the academic year. As the Chair of the Task Force on New York Canada Relations, I continue to work with local and state leaders and our federal representatives to find a solution to this issue so that we can welcome folks at our train stations once again." Sen. Dan Stec said he was "deeply concerned by Amtrak's decision to suspend the Montreal-New York Adirondack rail line service. We only recently returned to normal cross-border travel and activity, and suspending this service undoes those efforts and threatens our local economy. "A long-term suspension of this rail line is unsustainable and would be unacceptable for travelers, local business owners and locals on both sides of the border. I will be working with my local, state and federal partners to take action and address this issue immediately."

Signup for our newsletter

Mass concern for disrupted Amtrak service to Montreal

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS