The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) announced that the Amtrak Ethan Allen Express train will begin the highly-anticipated expanded passenger rail service to Burlington, Vergennes, and Middlebury on July 29, 2022. This service culminates the Agency’s extensive planning and infrastructure work to upgrade the tracks between Rutland and Burlington to accommodate higher speed passenger rail.

With gas prices at record highs, passenger rail also offers a more affordable option, with fares from Burlington to New York City starting at $75.

The newly extended Ethan Allen Express service southbound will depart Burlington daily at 10:10 a.m. and arrive at Penn Station in New York City at 5:45 p.m. The Ethan Allen Express northbound will depart Penn Station at 2:21 p.m. daily with arrival in Burlington at 9:55 p.m.

AOT will be honoring this historic occasion and the partners who made it possible with a celebratory public event at Burlington’s Union Station on July 29 from 9 a.m. until the train departs at 10:10 a.m. The Agency will announce more details about the event soon, as well as information about ticket sales, including 50% promotional fares on the Ethan Allen Express this summer.

AOT would like to thank the Vermont communities of Burlington, Ferrisburgh/Vergennes, and Middlebury that are hosting the new stations, as well as Rutland for serving as the Vermont anchor for the Ethan Allen line for many years. The Agency also acknowledges and thanks Vermont Rail System for its partnership and hard work.

-via Press Release