Amtrak to shift ‘Vermonter’ route Dec. 29 NEWSWIRE

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Amtrak will move its Vermonter service to the “Knowledge Corridor” in northern Massachusetts Dec. 29, 2014. The new route will feature stops in Greenfield and Northampton. The train will also add a stop in Holyoke later in 2015 when work is complete. The added stops due to the reroute will replace service provided to  Amherst station, which will end on Dec. 28.

The restoration of train service to the Knowledge Corridor has been a goal of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and Gov. Deval Patrick’s administration, who have been leading the effort to improve the Pan Am Southern trackage.

The new, shorter route has not brought improved running times just yet. “The schedule shown is the Vermonter’s initial schedule,” Amtrak spokeswoman Christina Leeds tells Trains News Wire. “Schedule adjustments will be implemented in the coming months upon completion of additional infrastructure improvements.”

Amtrak has worked with local authorities to raise rail safety awareness by meeting with community groups and schools.

Funding for the project was provided through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.