Metro-North daytime round-trip being extended to Albany

Unexpectedly, Governor Hochul just announced yesterday that Metro-North will now begin running one round-trip between Grand Central and Albany with room to go in the future. This is something that I was actually thinking about the other day, not because of the service changes, but because I was genuinely wondering if this could happen. Amtrak also announced that they'd be reliving the 

They announced that the northbound train would depart Grand Central mid-morning and get you to Albany early-afternoon, and would depart Albany mid-afternoon and arrive into Grand Central just in time for evening events. 

I personally feel that this is one of those things that people are going to like so much that it will stay even through the end of the service changes- I mean it's not a bad idea. Cheaper fares, direct service from the East Side, what else could you ask for. These roundtrips will begin running sometime in I perceive to be early 2026.

I like to see that the MTA is thinking outside of the box to provide supplemental service with this one. Even though trackspace is limited on that corridor, Kathy Hochul thought back and has been trying her best to make it happen and that is very respectable. I feel like this is going to be pretty successful since the Empire Corridor, specifically that New York - Albany portion is one of the most successful Amtrak routes. I even have family that lives in Albany and regularly uses this service and this will reduce crowding for them which is a great thing.

While it will be interesting to see how ridership ultimately plays out, I feel like there is a future for this service. If the Metro-North properly tends to it and expands it when necessary, this service could easily catch-on and could provide as a cheaper alternative option to points north of Poughkeepsie.