HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania will double daily Amtrak passenger service between Pittsburgh and New York City beginning in mid-November, expanding travel options across the state after more than $80 million in state investment and $143 million in federal rail funding.
The additional Pennsylvanian train will increase service from one daily round trip to two, connecting Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, New York and other communities along the route.
Amtrak expects to begin selling tickets for the new service in October, according to Gov. Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
The expansion depends on infrastructure and safety improvements along Norfolk Southern’s Pittsburgh Line, a heavily used freight corridor between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh.
Pennsylvania received $143 million in federal passenger rail funding in 2023 to support the upgrades. That money, combined with additional state transit funding, will cover the design and construction of remaining improvements to be completed by Norfolk Southern.
The Shapiro administration has already invested more than $80 million in the expansion, with construction either underway or completed.
“The people of western Pennsylvania have waited a long time for more passenger rail service,” Shapiro stated. “I’m proud to announce that the Pennsylvanian will soon expand to twice daily trips between New York City and Pittsburgh.”
The Pittsburgh Line also carries double-stack intermodal freight between the Chicago region and metropolitan New York. Norfolk Southern serves more than 800 customers and handles freight at over 140 locations along the corridor.
More than half of the railroad’s time-sensitive parcel and less-than-truckload shipments use the route at some point during a typical year, according to the company.
The Pennsylvanian also connects with Amtrak’s Floridian service, providing access to Cleveland, Chicago and other destinations.
“The second daily Pennsylvanian train will give customers more travel options and convenience between Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, New York, and communities along the route,” Amtrak board member Robert Gleason stated.
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