Maloney Calls on Amtrak to Extend Empire Line Service, Honor Metro North Tickets

Newburgh, N.Y. – Following the train derailment early Sunday morning that killed four people, injured dozens, and impacted thousands throughout the Hudson Valley, Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney toured the site of the tragic accident with NTSB and Senator Chuck Schumer and Senator Richard Blumenthal.  Earlier today, Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney sent a letter to NTSB urging them to immediately address any MTA safety deficiencies identified as they continue their initial investigation to determine the cause of this horrific accident.

“My heart aches for the victims and their families – we owe them answers as soon as possible, and we must do everything in our power to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again, ” said Rep. Maloney. “A thorough and speedy investigation must address MTA safety deficiencies, and I urge the NTSB not to wait for the final report to issue any recommendations that would better protect the thousands of riders that travel on the Metro North line each day.”

Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney also called on Amtrak to add additional trains on the Empire line and honor any Metro North tickets. Currently, many of the 26,000 people who use the Hudson Line daily must take a shuttle bus from the Yonkers train station to the 1 subway train. A smaller number of passengers are commuting directly to the Harlem Line. Extra parking has been set up at Wassaic and Southeast stations and at Kensico Dam near Valhalla station to accommodate the additional commuters. In addition, Putnam County has announced a commuter bus shuttle from Garrison and Cold Spring train stations to and from the Southeast Train Station on the Harlem Line. Commuters can receive updates on the shuttle by visiting Putnam County’s website at: http://www.putnamcountyny.gov/.

“Metro North is an integral part of life in the Hudson Valley, and we must ensure that the tens of thousands of commuters affected have every option available to help them get to and from work as soon as possible,” concluded Rep. Maloney.