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The Berkshire Flyer will service passengers from NYC to the Berkshires beginning July 8th. Departing trains will leave from Penn Station on Fridays and return trips will run on Sunday afternoons.
Justine Golata - Staff Writer
Amtrak announced a new pilot seasonal rail service called the Berkshire Flyer set to welcome passengers starting this summer.
The Berkshire Flyer is made possible thanks to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). Rail service will depart NYC’s Penn Station as soon as July 8th to head towards Pittsfield, MA. Service will proceed throughout this year’s following summer weekends and is expected to return once again come 2023.
The line will undergo review as it first launches to truly determine the service schedule based on its success and demand.
Its seasonal service will give New Yorkers a chance to explore all of the exciting summer activities Massachusetts has to offer. “Berkshire County is home to art, culture, history, and hospitality, and the Berkshire Flier line will enable more people to experience it,” said Congressman Richard. E. Neal, Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means.
The Berkshire Flyer will feature the same amenities as all other Amtrak trains. Highlights include:
“We are pleased to work together with our partner agencies to run passenger train service between Pittsfield and New York City on weekends during the busiest tourist times this summer,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Western Massachusetts and the Berkshire Region offer a whole host of cultural and recreational opportunities during the summer and we hope this pilot service will encourage even more visitors to this part of our state.”
The entire trip from NYC to the Berkshires will take around 4 hours, as the line will make numerous stops along the way at Yonkers, NY, Croton-Harmon, NY, Poughkeepsie, NY, Rhinecliff, NY, Hudson, NY, and Albany-Rensselaer Station.
“Travelers who want to enjoy a summer weekend in the quaint valley towns of the Berkshires or experience all New York City has to offer can now do so sustainably, without being in bumper-to-bumper traffic, and while taking in the scenery of the Catskill Mountains all at once via Amtrak,” said Amtrak President and CEO Stephen Gardner.
Tickets are now on sale for the Berkshire Flyer, and you can secure them on the Amtrak website, the app, Amtrak desks and kiosks, or through 1-800-USA-RAIL.
Learn more about the Berkshire Flyer here.