Empire Service (train) - High-speed Rail

High-speed Rail

The Empire Service has been a long standing candidate for high-speed rail and electrification. The need for high speed rail service has been addressed by former Governor George Pataki, former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, and members of the New York State Assembly representing upstate regions. Other politicians have asked that high speed rail be introduced along the Empire Corridor, diminishing the time for New York City – Buffalo trains from seven hours to just three hours; train travel from New York City to Albany would take less than two hours to complete. This may introduce Acela trains to the Empire Corridor if high speed rail is successful. Another reason which politicians are noting is that high speed trains may help improve upstate New York's economy, which is currently stagnant.