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Berkshire Flyer

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Berkshire Flyer
The Berkshire Flyer at Pittsfield in September 2022
Overview
Service typeInter-city rail
StatusPilot, seasonal
LocaleHudson Valley and Berkshires
First serviceJuly 8, 2022 (2022-07-08)
Current operator(s)Amtrak
Websiteamtrak.com/berkshire-flyer
Route
TerminiNew York City, New York
Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Distance travelled190 miles (306 km)
Average journey time4 hours
Service frequencyTwo northbound and one southbound trip weekly
Train number(s)1233, 1235, 1246
Technical
Rolling stockAmfleet coaches
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Track owner(s)MNRR, Amtrak, CSX
Route map
Legend
Lake Shore Limited
to Springfield / Boston
190 mi
306 km
 Pittsfield
Massachusetts
New York
Empire Corridor
141 mi
227 km
Albany–Rensselaer
Train reverses
114 mi
183 km
 Hudson
100 mi
161 km
 Rhinecliff
80 mi
129 km
 Poughkeepsie
40 mi
64 km
 Croton–Harmon
18 mi
29 km
 Yonkers
Harlem River
To Philadelphia
0 mi
 New York City
NJ Transit
To New Haven
This diagram:

The Berkshire Flyer is a seasonal Amtrak passenger train service between New York City and the Berkshire Mountains in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, via the Hudson Valley. The weekly train departs Penn Station on Friday and Sunday afternoons during the summer and returns on Sundays (Mondays on holiday weekends). The route's 2023 season began on May 26 and ran through October 9 as the second year of a three-year pilot program.

History

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Development

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In 2014, Massachusetts proposed moving ahead with plans for commuter rail service between the Berkshires and New York City.[1][2] Eight round trips per day would have followed the Housatonic Railroad from Pittsfield through Connecticut to Southeast, New York, where they would have taken the Harlem Line to Grand Central Terminal.[3][4] Four stops were proposed in Berkshire County: Pittsfield, Lee, Great Barrington, and Sheffield.[5] The commuter rail project failed to progress due to lack of interest from the administration of Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy.[6]

In 2017, the Massachusetts legislature began new efforts toward a summer tourist train, not commuter rail, between New York City and the Berkshires. Eddie Sporn, a Berkshire-based consultant, was researching the topic of restoring passenger rail service and sent an outline of plans to State Senator Adam Hinds.[7] The plan for the "Berkshire Flyer" was modeled on the CapeFLYER, a popular seasonal train between Boston and Cape Cod. The proposal routed the train on the Empire Corridor through New York State rather than Connecticut. In September the legislature empaneled a working group consisting of MassDOT representatives, government officials, business leaders, and involved citizens to work on the project.[6]

MassDOT released a Berkshire Flyer feasibility study in March 2018 in which three alternatives were studied. The first option (which was ultimately selected) was to extend an Empire Service round trip from Albany–Rensselaer to Pittsfield. The second option would have added a new limited-stop express train on this route, saving 10 to 12 minutes. The third would have added a new train that skipped Albany–Rensselaer by traversing the Schodack Subdivision, cutting 18 miles (29 km) and saving 20 minutes. NYSDOT stated it would not support a service that did not stop at all Empire Corridor stations. The report also raised the possibility of a new Amtrak station in Chatham, New York, but this was not evaluated due to its large capital costs.[8]

In May 2018, the Massachusetts Senate approved funds for a two-year trial of the Berkshire Flyer. The service would be a seasonal extension of a weekend Empire Service round trip to Pittsfield.[9][10][11]

Pilot

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The service pilot was originally scheduled to begin in June 2020, but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and questions around the program's legal sponsorship.[12] It was rescheduled to take place in summer 2022 and 2023, and was later expanded to a third year, 2024.

In April 2022, Amtrak announced that the first trip would depart on July 8.[13] Tickets went up for sale on May 25, starting at $45 one way.[14][15] Service began as announced on July 8, 2022, with train 1235 departing on-time from Penn Station. Several local and state officials were aboard the first train, while others greeted it in Pittsfield.[16][17] The season ended with a southbound trip on September 5, running on Labor Day instead of Sunday.[18]

The 2022 season saw nine total Berkshire Flyer round trips, carrying 401 passengers northbound to Pittsfield and 418 riders southbound.[19] Feedback on the route was positive, though many passengers desired the option to spend more time in Pittsfield, saying the limited schedule was inconvenient. Supporters hoped the schedule could be expanded for the 2023 season.[20]

In April 2023, MassDOT announced the Berkshire Flyer's second season would run from Memorial Day weekend to Columbus Day weekend. The first northbound train departed on May 26, and the last southbound train was scheduled for October 8. Twenty total round trips were scheduled, more than double that of 2022.[21][22]

In 2023, MassDOT indicated that the pilot would be funded for a third season (summer 2024) in order to make up for the late start and minimal marketing of the 2022 season. This required a new agreement with track-owner CSX, who desired the construction of a passing siding at Joseph Scelsi Intermodal Transportation Center.[19] The 2024 season will operate from June 21 to September 2, 2024, with a Sunday northbound trip added.[23] Connecting bus service (possibly Amtrak Thruway) between Albany–Rensselaer and Pittsfield may be added after the Berkshire Flyer season ends.[24]

Service

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A P42DC locomotive, only used on the Pittsfield leg, being removed from the train at Albany–Rensselaer

The Berkshire Flyer operates northbound (New York to Pittsfield) on Friday afternoons and Sundays midday, and southbound on Sunday afternoon. Intermediate stops are made in both directions at Empire Service stations.[25] In Pittsfield, passengers are welcomed by "ambassadors" who provide information and assist in wayfinding.[26][18]

Route details

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The Berkshire Flyer operates over CSX Transportation, Metro-North Railroad, and Amtrak trackage:

Though the Berkshire Flyer is the first and only Amtrak train to offer a direct ride between New York City and Pittsfield without layovers, all sections of the route are served by other Amtrak trains. The line between New York City and Rensselaer is part of Amtrak's Empire Corridor, while service between Rensselaer and Pittsfield is provided by the Lake Shore Limited.

Stations

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State Location Mile (km) Station Connections
MA Pittsfield 190 (310) Joseph Scelsi Intermodal Transportation Center Amtrak Amtrak: Lake Shore Limited
Bus transport BRTA: 1, 2, 4, 5A, 5B, 11, 12 , 14, 15, 21, 921
Bus transport Peter Pan Bus
NY Rensselaer 141 (227) Albany–Rensselaer Amtrak Amtrak: Adirondack, Empire Service, Ethan Allen Express, Lake Shore Limited, Maple Leaf
Bus interchange CDTA: 114, 214
Hudson 114 (183) Hudson Amtrak Amtrak: Adirondack, Empire Service, Ethan Allen Express, Maple Leaf
Rhinecliff 100 (160) Rhinecliff Amtrak Amtrak: Adirondack, Empire Service, Ethan Allen Express, Maple Leaf
Poughkeepsie 80 (130) Poughkeepsie Amtrak Amtrak: Adirondack, Empire Service, Ethan Allen Express, Maple Leaf
Metro-North Railroad: ■ Hudson Line
Bus interchange DCPT: A, B, C, D, E, Poughkeepsie RailLink; UCAT: Ulster-Poughkeepsie LINK
Croton-on-Hudson 40 (64) Croton–Harmon Amtrak Amtrak: Adirondack, Empire Service, Ethan Allen Express, Lake Shore Limited, Maple Leaf
Metro-North Railroad: ■ Hudson Line
Bus interchange Bee-Line: 10, 11, 14
Yonkers 18 (29) Yonkers Amtrak Amtrak: Adirondack, Empire Service, Ethan Allen Express, Maple Leaf
Metro-North Railroad: ■ Hudson Line
Bus interchange Bee-Line: 6, 9, 25, 32, 91
New York City 0 (0) New York Penn Station Amtrak Amtrak (long-distance): Cardinal, Crescent, Lake Shore Limited, Palmetto, Silver Meteor
Amtrak Amtrak (intercity): Acela, Adirondack, Carolinian, Empire Service, Ethan Allen Express, Keystone Service, Maple Leaf, Northeast Regional, Pennsylvanian, Vermonter
LIRR: ■ City Terminal Zone, ■ Port Washington Branch
NJ Transit NJ Transit: ■ North Jersey Coast Line, ■ Northeast Corridor Line, ■ Gladstone Branch, ■ Montclair-Boonton Line, ■ Morristown Line
NYC Subway: "1" train​"2" train​"3" train"A" train​"C" train​"E" train
Port Authority Trans-Hudson PATH: HOB-33 JSQ-33 JSQ-33 (via HOB)
Bus interchange NYC Transit buses: M7, M20, M34 SBS, M34A SBS, Q32, SIM23, SIM24

References

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  1. ^ Scribner, David (July 18, 2014). "State to buy Berkshire rail line; first step in restoring passenger service". The Berkshire Edge. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  2. ^ Scribner, David (July 25, 2014). "State to move ahead with funding for rail commuter service to NYC". The Berkshire Edge. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  3. ^ Scribner, David. "Study backs restoring trains to Berkshires". Hill Country Observer. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  4. ^ Sheppard, Stephen. "Economic Benefits of Housatonic Railroad Passenger Service" (PDF). Center for Creative Community Development. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  5. ^ "Berkshire Passenger Rail Station Location & Design Analysis" (PDF). Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. August 2014. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  6. ^ a b Cowgill, Terry (September 27, 2017). "Panel reimagines passenger rail service -- once again -- between New York and the Berkshires". The Berkshire Edge. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  7. ^ Cowgill, Terry (September 27, 2017). "Panel reimagines passenger rail service -- once again -- between New York and the Berkshires". The Berkshire Edge. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
  8. ^ "Berkshire Flyer: Pittsfield to New York City Feasibility Study". MassDOT Transit & Rail Division. March 26, 2018. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  9. ^ "News Briefs: Mass. Senate approves funding for opioid prevention services; Mass. Senate provides funding for Berkshire FLYER; Mass. Senate to review small bridge repair regulations". Berkshire Edge. May 30, 2018.
  10. ^ Vaccaro, Adam (March 27, 2018). "A Berkshires-NYC train service could relaunch by 2019". Boston Globe.
  11. ^ Bellow, Heather (March 1, 2019). "Berkshire Flyer group 'ready to take the leap' from vision to reality". Berkshire Eagle.
  12. ^ Parnass, Larry (May 29, 2020). "Debut of Berkshire Flyer service to NYC delayed by legal questions". The Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  13. ^ "Berkshire Flyer Passenger Train Service Begins July 8" (Press release). Massachusetts Department of Transportation. April 25, 2022. Archived from the original on April 26, 2022. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  14. ^ "Amtrak Travelers Can Now Buy Tickets for Berkshire Flyer Service Between Pittsfield and New York City". Amtrak Media. May 25, 2022. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  15. ^ "Tickets on sale for Berkshire Flyer service between Pittsfield and NYC". spectrumnews1.com. May 26, 2022. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  16. ^ Britton-Mehlisch, Meg (July 8, 2022). "'Sold out' Berkshire Flyer train is rolling towards Pittsfield, after on-time departure from New York City". The Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  17. ^ Britton-Mehlisch, Meg (July 8, 2022). "Five years in the making, Berkshire Flyer's inaugural run from New York City to Pittsfield a 'sold out' success". The Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  18. ^ a b "Berkshire Flyer Train From NY To Pittsfield and the Berkshires". Berkshire Flyer Pittsfield. City of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  19. ^ a b Britton-Mehlisch, Meg (June 7, 2023). "The Berkshire Flyer is back for another season, but future of the passenger line between New York and Pittsfield remains up in the air". The Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  20. ^ "Our Opinion: Seeing some sustained ridership on Berkshire Flyer is valuable. So are the travelers' insights". The Berkshire Eagle. August 18, 2022. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  21. ^ McLaughlin, Chris (April 12, 2023). "Pittsfield to NYC line returns this summer, Amtrak announces". masslive. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  22. ^ "Our Opinion: Berkshire Flyer arrives for another pilot run with momentum and hope in tow". The Berkshire Eagle. June 3, 2023. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  23. ^ "Tickets Now on Sale for Berkshire Flyer Seasonal Passenger Rail Service between New York City and Pittsfield, Massachusetts" (Press release). Amtrak. April 26, 2024.
  24. ^ Slesinger, Meredith (April 16, 2024). "Rail and Transit Report". Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
  25. ^ "Berkshire Flyer Passenger Train Service Begins July 8". Amtrak Media. April 26, 2022.
  26. ^ McGrath, Ben (August 29, 2022). "All Aboard the Berkshire Flyer!". The New Yorker. Condé Nast. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
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