• 6.26.23
• General

Chamber Calls for Solution to Restore Amtrak Service to Montreal

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," says 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% of pre-pandemic levels. Then when they get here, they find a Beekmantown rest area with a closed welcome center and broken down rest rooms. 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 Senator 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," says 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."