United Rail Passenger Alliance

Vol. 2, No. 37 – November 22, 2005

1. Amtrak is trying what can only be categorized as a bold and worthy experiment on Empire Service trains between Albany, New York and New York City. Amtrak has contracted with the well-known and highly visible Subway restaurant fast food chain to handle food service on the current food-less Empire Service trains as a pilot project. The trains previously had food service, operating from the New York City commissary and a commissary at Albany. However, earlier this year in a cost-cutting move, Amtrak closed the Albany commissary and put the all-coach trains over the road with no food service. The 142 mile route takes just under two and a half hours to run. Read more…