BARRE, VT – The state of Vermont celebrated restoration of its train service on July 19, 2021, with a day of special offers and station events. The state-supported Vermonter (St. Albans-New York-Washington) and Ethan Allen Express (Rutland-Albany-New York) had been suspended since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Customers took advantage of $1 fares offered for travel within Vermont on the first day of service.
Celebratory events kicked off with local and state dignitaries in the morning at the Rutland station for the return of the Ethan Allen Express and at the St. Albans station for the return of the Vermonter. The Rutland event featured remarks by Mayor and Operation Lifesaver of Vermont Board Member David Allaire and Vice Chair of the House Transportation Committee, Representative Butch Shaw. In St. Albans, Congressman Peter Welch, Amtrak Vice President, State Supported Services Ray Lang, Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) Secretary Joe Flynn, Mayor Tim Smith and Village of Essex Junction Board of Trustees President Andrew Brown gathered with a large crowd to mark the departure of the first southbound train.
Locals and rail enthusiasts also gathered at other stations along the routes – including Montpelier-Berlin, Waterbury-Stowe and Greenfield, Mass. – to cheer the return of daily service. In addition, Operation Lifesaver of Vermont, a non-profit railroad safety education organization, provided short presentations on rail safety at various events.
“The state of Vermont has so much to offer – and customers can experience the state and the summer in a variety of ways, as we celebrate the return of the Vermonter and Ethan Allen Express,” said Amtrak’s Lang. “We hope residents and visitors…have a safe and relaxing trip whether it’s to see friends and family, see or stay in one of the state’s many charming towns, go on a food tour, enjoy an outdoor biking or hiking adventure or more.”
The Ethan Allen Express is financed primarily through funds made available by VTrans and the New York State Department of Transportation. The Vermonter is financed primarily through funds made available by VTrans, the Connecticut Department of Transportation and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
Posted Jul. 27, 2021
Amtrak established the Great American Stations Project in 2006 to educate communities on the benefits of redeveloping train stations, offer tools to community leaders to preserve their stations, and provide the appropriate Amtrak resources.
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