Northampton — The Massachusetts Division of Transportation (MassDOT) and Amtrak introduced right this moment the pilot Valley Flyer Passenger Service will grow to be everlasting; a seven day per week service with connections in New Haven Union Station, permitting handy journey between Western Massachusetts, central Connecticut, and New York Metropolis.  The announcement was made in Northampton because the station platform was devoted in reminiscence of former State Consultant Peter V. Kocot who served within the Massachusetts Legislature from 2001-2018.

“The Baker-Polito Administration is happy to be saying the Valley Flyer Passenger Service will probably be everlasting,” mentioned Transportation Secretary and CEO Jamey Tesler. “The Commonwealth and Amtrak have had a powerful partnership for a few years to supply rail companies in Massachusetts, connecting communities throughout the Northeast and past, and with the Valley Flyer service persevering with, I see the partnership rising and getting stronger within the years forward.”

“We launched the Valley Flyer with our companions at MassDOT with the expectation it will grow to be everlasting, and we’re delighted that our joint imaginative and prescient has come to fruition,” mentioned Amtrak Vice President State Supported Providers Ray Lang. “We thank our prospects for using with us as their demand for prepare journey has helped present quite a few advantages to Western Massachusetts communities, residents, and guests.”

“Consultant Kocot was a steadfast advocate for Western Massachusetts,” mentioned Congressman James P. McGovern. “Public transit and passenger rail have been key priorities for him, and I couldn’t consider a greater strategy to honor his legacy than by dedicating Northampton’s prepare station in his reminiscence and making Valley Flyer passenger service everlasting. Connecting Western Massachusetts with the remainder of the commonwealth and nation not solely celebrates Rep. Kocot’s reminiscence—it improves the lives of the folks right here within the Pioneer Valley who he devoted his profession in public service to.”

Mrs. Shauneen Kocot said, “Fast transit was an important subject for Peter. One of many final payments he filed was for a proposal to review the East-West Rail Service. Peter can be humbled to have the Commonwealth and the Division of Transportation dedicating the Northampton Prepare Station in his reminiscence. My sons and I admire the efforts of everybody concerned on this effort to recollect and honor Peter.”

Northampton Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra added, “Peter Kocot was a exceptional public servant with an unimaginable dedication and selfless drive to serve his constituents and the Commonwealth. He’s dearly missed in Northampton as a stalwart colleague, devoted neighborhood member and dependable good friend. The Metropolis of Northampton is grateful to play a task on this well-deserved dedication of the Northampton Prepare Station in Peter’s honor.”

Amtrak, at the side of MassDOT, has been operating Valley Flyer trains seven days per week alongside the Connecticut River, utilizing a rail line known as the Information Hall, with trains making station stops in Springfield, Holyoke, Northampton and Greenfield. The journey choice is an extension of Amtrak’s New Haven to Springfield service and presents residents and guests of Western Massachusetts a extra frequent and handy means join with Amtrak’s Northeast Hall at New Haven and attain stations between New Haven and Springfield.  The Valley Flyer is an intercity service designed to extend the Pioneer Valley’s entry to the NY metropolitan space and different factors on the Northeast Hall. The service was initially provided as a pilot program which started on Friday, August 30, 2019, and was decreased throughout the pandemic, earlier than resuming the complete schedule on July 19, 2021. The Valley Flyer has two round-trip trains on weekdays, and one round-trip prepare on Saturdays and Sundays.  The pilot was initially beneficial within the 2018 Massachusetts State Rail Plan.

Ridership on the Valley Flyer has been robust throughout the previous yr.  Though demand for passenger rail service throughout the Northeast is decreased from pre-pandemic situations, the Valley Flyer has frequently exceeded expectations, together with assembly projected ridership and matching Amtrak service alongside the Northeast Hall on its return to pre-pandemic demand. The Valley Flyer, which primarily serves passengers journey from Western Massachusetts to New York is on monitor to supply 24,000 annual journeys for Fiscal 12 months 2023.

Over the previous few years Amtrak has been working intently with MassDOT and the opposite New England states to enhance service within the area.  Current advances embrace restoration of the pre-COVID-19 schedule on the Amtrak Hartford Line service to Springfield in April 2022, extension of the Ethan Allen service to Burlington, Vermont in July 2022, and implementation of the Berkshire Flyer this previous summer season, a pilot seasonal weekend service between New York Metropolis and Pittsfield.

The Northampton Prepare Station platform, positioned downtown at 170 Nice Avenue, was devoted right this moment in reminiscence of former State Consultant Kocot, who died on the age of 61 on February 21, 2018, after a short sickness.  Mr. Kocot represented the First Hampshire District which incorporates the communities of Montgomery, Hatfield, Southampton, Westhampton, and Northampton.

For extra info please go to:

https://malegislature.gov/Individuals/Profile/PVK1

https://www.amtrak.com/valley-flyer-train

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