Tickets now available for trains that will travel on the Knowledge Corridor making stops in Greenfield, Northampton, Holyoke and Springfield
SPRINGFIELD,
MA – Amtrak, in conjunction with MassDOT, is launching a new state supported seven day a week passenger
train on Friday, August 30, called the Valley Flyer. The train will travel along
the Connecticut River, a region referred to as the Knowledge Corridor, with
trains making station stops in Springfield, Holyoke, Northampton and Greenfield.
The trains will also connect with Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor at New Haven and
serve stations between New Haven and Springfield. Tickets
are now available and can be found on Amtrak.com, the Amtrak
app, Amtrak ticket desks and kiosks, and through 1-800-USA-RAIL.
“The new Valley Flyer service highlights the continuing growing demand of train travel throughout this country,” said Amtrak President & CEO Richard Anderson. “We are proud to launch this service with our partners at MassDOT and offer Massachusetts residents and visitors with the ability to see all the state has to offer through rail travel.”
“Our administration continues to prioritize efforts to improve and expand transit opportunities in all corners of the Commonwealth, and the new Valley Flyer passenger rail pilot is an important step forward as we seek to meet the needs of residents and communities in Western Massachusetts,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We look forward to this opportunity to partner with Amtrak and other stakeholders to bring this important new rail service to support communities from Springfield to Greenfield.”
“We are pleased to be collaborating with Amtrak on
this two-year pilot passenger train service which will provide another
transportation option along the Knowledge Corridor,” said Transportation
Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “We’ve
appreciated the enthusiasm and support of municipal officials, members of the
Massachusetts Legislature, the Massachusetts Congressional delegation, railroad
companies and the business community in helping to launch the service and believe
this new transportation option will be an economic boost to the region, a
convenient travel option, and a step toward reaching our greenhouse gas
reductions goals.”
“I am thrilled by the launch of the Valley Flyer
passenger train service serving western and northern Massachusetts,” said
Congressman Richard E. Neal. “I have been a champion of bringing increased
passenger rail service to the residents of western Massachusetts and the
addition of this line is yet another tremendous success. The introduction of
this service, running through the recently re-opened and renovated Springfield
Union Station, will help to grow the economy and tourism in the area and
support a new field of workers who now have access to convenient employment
hubs in the Pioneer Valley by simply travelling by rail. I am proud to be a
partner in this great endeavor.”
“This pilot program could be a game-changer for our region, better connecting travelers and businesses while growing our economy,” said Congressman James McGovern. “The Valley Flyer will finally make it possible for those in the Knowledge Corridor to commute to places like New York City and back in the same day while bringing more travelers into Massachusetts. I want to thank Amtrak and MassDOT for this investment in our community and will continue working to improve rail service so more people can see all our region has to offer.”
“This pilot program could be a game-changer for our region, better connecting travelers and businesses while growing our economy,” said Massachusetts Congressman James McGovern. “The Valley Flyer will finally make it possible for those in the Knowledge Corridor to commute to places like New York City and back in the same day while bringing more travelers into Massachusetts. I want to thank Amtrak and MassDOT for this investment in our community and will continue working to improve rail service so more people can see all our region has to offer.”
Valley Flyer customers can expect the same amenities
onboard as they do on all other Amtrak trains including, free Wi-Fi, the
freedom to use phones and electronic devices at all times (no “airplane mode”),
the ability to travel with small pets on many trains, large spacious seats with
ample leg room, no middle seat, and one of the most generous baggage policies
in the travel industry, applicable for two personal items and two carry-on
bags.
Trains 461, 471 and 495 will now originate in
Greenfield traveling to Springfield and New Haven, and Trains 478, 488, and 494
will now originate in New Haven traveling to Springfield and Greenfield. Train
400 will originate in Springfield and terminate in Greenfield while train 499
will originate in Greenfield and terminate in Springfield. Trains 471, 478,
494, 495 will run Monday through Friday, and Trains 400, 461, 488 and 499 will
run on weekends.
In preparation for the start of new service, Amtrak
ran service readiness trains on the Knowledge Corridor throughout August, and Amtrak officials and the Amtrak
Police Department (APD) hosted several presentations to various schools and positive
enforcement grade crossing awareness events in the area, and shared rail safety
messages to improve education on rail safety. Outreach efforts utilized
material and rail safety information from Operation Lifesaver, a national non-profit organization
dedicated to reducing railroad-related deaths and injuries.
The
augmentation of train service to the Knowledge Corridor is a project of
MassDOT. Amtrak also currently runs service along
this rail corridor, with its Vermonter train, which connects St. Albans, Vermont to Washington,
D.C.