(The following story by Eric Anderson appeared on the Albany Times-Union website on March 30, 2009.)
ALBANY, N.Y. — Full state operating support was restored for Amtrak’s Adirondack service from the Capital Region to Montreal, ensuring the train operates for another year, the president of the Empire State Passengers Association said this morning.
The funding was part of the 2009-10 state budget agreed to over the weekend by Gov. David Paterson and legislative leaders.
Last week, Vermont also agreed to continue operating support for the Ethan Allen Express passenger train, scrapping an earlier plan to use a bus to connect Albany and Rutland instead.
The two states’ actions ensure that Saratoga Springs, which faced the loss of all train service, will continue to have daily connections to New York City, Montreal and Rutland.
Paterson originally proposed cutting support for the Adirondack in half, to $2.5 million from $5 million currently. “It’s our understanding … there’s full funding for Adirondack service through March 31, 2010,” said Bruce Becker, president of ESPA, a statewide passenger rail advocacy organization.